05 January 2026 :

August 1, 2025 - Florida. Derrick Clay sentenced to death

On August 1, 2025, Derrick Clay was sentenced to death after waiving his right to counsel and to a jury or bench trial.

In September 2024, Derrick Clay was indicted for first-degree murder for killing Joseph Chance, his cellmate, in February 2024 while in prison. In December 2024, the State filed a Notice of its intent to seek the death penalty. According to the trial court, Clay “also confessed to committing three additional murders for which he was not prosecuted, and he repeatedly represented that he would kill again if given the opportunity.”

Clay waived his right to counsel and elected to proceed pro se. Clay also “sought to waive his right to trial by a judge or jury, and to enter a guilty plea.” The trial court in Hamilton County accepted his guilty plea, and the case proceeded to a one day penalty phase on March 25, 2025. Clay did not present any mitigation.

A pre-sentence investigation report was prepared on June 24, 2025. On August 1, the trial court sentenced Clay to death.

https://fladeathpenalty.substack.com/p/hamilton-county-derrick-clay-sentenced