Bruce Pace: Friend of cab driver murders him for money

SANTA ROSA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) — A cab driver reported lacking by members of the family could be discovered lifeless in a peculiar space of his cab. The man accused of the homicide would inform members of the family the day earlier than one thing that might incriminate him. This is the story of Bruce Pace.

WKRG News 5 is wanting again on the crimes that shocked the Gulf Coast. Bruce Pace’s story is the fourteenth within the collection.

It was Nov. 4, 1988, when Frankie Covington reported her father-in-law, Floyd Covington, lacking. Floyd was a cab driver in Santa Rosa County, Fla., in accordance with court documents. Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office deputies began looking for Floyd and simply three days later they’d discover his cab.

Floyd’s cab was present in a wooded space lined in brush. When deputies appeared contained in the automotive, they discovered bloodstains everywhere in the seats. Scientists would say that the bloodstain patterns confirmed {that a} passenger shot Floyd whereas he was sitting within the driver’s seat.

Although the cab was discovered, Floyd’s physique wouldn’t be discovered till Nov. 10. His physique was present in one other wooded space about 12 miles from the place the cab was discovered. During the post-mortem, a shotgun shell was discovered inside Floyd’s chest cavity. This informed investigators that whoever had shot Floyd had been at a really shut vary. The medical expert decided that the time of demise was probably someday on Nov. 4, the day Floyd was reported lacking.

On Dec. 14, 1988, Pace was indicted by a Santa Rosa County grand jury and was charged with first-degree homicide and armed theft. At his arraignment, Pace was appointed two attorneys, Samuel Hall and Randall Etheridge. Pace allegedly confessed to killing Floyd however ended up pleading not responsible, resulting in a trial. The state sought the demise penalty.

The trial started in Santa Rosa County on Aug. 20, 1989. The state would produce proof that confirmed Floyd and Pace had been very shut. Although the 2 had a 40-year age distinction, Pace thought of Floyd as an uncle.

One witness for the prosecution was a cousin of Paces, Angela Pace. Angela would testify that on Nov. 3 Pace informed her he was going to do one thing that he “hated to do” however that he wanted money. Pace’s aunt, Orestine Franklin additionally testified towards Pace saying she noticed him driving Floyd’s cab on Nov. 4.

Pace’s stepfather, Harvey Rich, was proven the shotgun used to kill Floyd and positively recognized it as one which was owned by Pace’s brother. Rich additionally testified that he discovered two shotgun shells that matched the gun on Nov. 5 in his entrance yard.

Rich additionally testified that on Nov. 7, Pace confirmed up at their shared house and mentioned he was in hassle and wanted to go away. Rich requested Pace for extra particulars and Pace elaborated on why he wanted to go away.

According to Rich, Pace informed him that on Nov. 3, Covington had pushed him house and dropped him off. Pace then found that he had misplaced his home key, so he entered the house by way of a window. Once he was in his bed room, Pace claimed that somebody choked him and he misplaced consciousness. When he awoke, Pace mentioned he was in a wooded space a number of miles away mendacity subsequent to the shotgun and cab. Pace mentioned he noticed the bloodstains everywhere in the cab and resolve to take the shotgun and run.

When it was the protection’s flip to query Rich, Etheridge mentioned it was attainable that an intruder might have been in the home and never have been heard by the Riches. The protection would use this in closing arguments to assert another person might have killed Covington.

On Aug. 25, the state rested its case. The jury was referred to as to deliberate and inside two hours they returned with a verdict. The jury discovered Pace responsible of each first-degree homicide and armed theft.

During sentencing, many individuals had been referred to as to speak about Pace’s character. A highschool trainer, an aunt and a corrections officer claimed he was “respectful” and “a loving and caring person.”

The prosecution gave 5 explanation why Pace ought to obtain the demise penalty:

1. Pace was on parole on the time of the homicide
2. Pace had been beforehand convicted of a violent felony
3. Pace dedicated the homicide throughout a theft
4. Pace dedicated the crime to keep away from arrest
5. Pace dedicated the homicide for monetary achieve

The jury, by a seven to 5 vote, advisable that Pace be sentenced to demise. On Nov. 16, 1989, Pace was sentenced to demise for first-degree homicide and fifteen years imprisonment for the armed theft. He is presently on demise row in Florida.