FL S0920

Acknowledges that Charles Greenlee, Walter Irvin, Samuel Shepherd, and Ernest Thomas (the "Groveland Four") were victims of gross injustices in a 1949 rape case in Lake County, Florida.

Extends a formal apology to the Groveland Four and their families for the criminal justice system's failure to protect their constitutional rights, including coerced confessions, suppressed exculpatory evidence, and brutality by law enforcement.

Documents that Ernest Thomas was killed by an armed posse in 1951, Samuel Shepherd was shot and killed by Sheriff Willis McCall in 1951, and Walter Irvin survived multiple shootings but was retried and convicted despite evidence of forensic manipulation.

Urges the Governor and Cabinet to expedite clemency review of all four men's cases, including consideration of full pardons.

Directs copies of the resolution be provided to the Governor, Attorney General, Chief Financial Officer, Commissioner of Agriculture, and the families of the Groveland Four.