For many who are following the case of William Thomas Zeigler, I’ve an replace. Journalist buddies and attorneys spent 5 days in evidentiary hearings with Circuit Decide Leticia Marques on the Orange County Courthouse, Orlando, Florida.
The Case
On Christmas Eve 1975, a quadruple homicide passed off within the Zeigler Furnishings Retailer (Winter Backyard, Florida).
The victims have been Charles Mays, Virginia and Perry Edwards, and their daughter Eunice Edwards-Zeigler. The fifth sufferer, William Thomas Zeigler, turned the only suspect as a result of he survived.
Protection Workforce
Unique trial lawyer Ralph “Terry” Hadley III defined to the courtroom that his shopper, William Thomas Zeigler was the fifth sufferer and never the perpetrator. And this time he had DNA to again up that assertion.
Terry was there with David Michaeli and Dennis Tracey of Hogan Lowells regulation agency. Additionally current, John Houston Pope.
Tommy
These 5 days in courtroom have been laborious for Tommy. He’s now 80 years outdated, wheelchair sure, and his as soon as proud six-foot physique now roughly weighs 120 lbs. Regardless of his well being points, Tommy’s legs have been shackled and his palms have been cuffed.
Proof
“Evaluation of the DNA by three professional witnesses, together with professional testimony about missteps taken in the course of the authentic crime scene investigation and an interview with an eyewitness whose testimony was by no means made recognized to the protection on the authentic trial, have been the hallmarks of the protection’s technique to persuade the courtroom to provide Zeigler a brand new trial, or maybe throw out his conviction altogether.”
Withheld from Discovery
The withheld proof by the state throughout discovery, was the Jellison tape. I clarify the importance of that tape right here.
Jon Jellison repeated on tape what he noticed. Even when Mr. Bachman, investigator for the prosecution at the moment, explicitly advised a change within the chain of occasions, Jon remained steadfast in what he remembered and in what order.
First, he noticed the police automotive and the officer within the car parking zone. That alerted him to the truth that one thing was occurring. That’s the reason he stayed outdoors to look at. Then, he heard pictures.
The case is additional sophisticated by police misconduct (mendacity on the stand), jury intimidation, and forensic testing disproving the fees.
Additional studying
I want to share a number of hyperlinks.
1: Jean Gonzalez within the Florida Catholic, Dec 4, 2025
Under the article title you see the choice to take heed to the article as properly.
2: Jean Gonzalez within the Florida Catholic, Dec 11, 2025
Under the article title you see the choice to take heed to the article as properly.
3: A YouTube video during which Terry explains the judicial override that landed Tommy on loss of life row, the shortage of gunshot residue. Terry’s dream is to stroll Tommy out of loss of life row. There’s the choice to activate the transcripts.
Warning: this video incorporates graphic crime scene pictures
4: Many posts cowl this case on my web site. That’s the reason Tommy has his personal class and hashtag.
The hyperlink to his class is right here. There you could find all of the posts I wrote about this case.
Should you comply with this hashtag one can find all of the posts the place I point out Tommy.
Timeline:
A choice will not be anticipated till the spring of 2026.
