Florida Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentence for Tina Lasonya Brown in Escambia County Case

Last updated: July 24, 2026

On July 16, 2026, the Florida Supreme Court officially affirmed the denial of Tina Lasonya Brown’s successive post-conviction motion, thereby upholding her original conviction and death sentence connected to the brutal murder of Audreanna Zimmerman in Escambia County.

Background of the Case

Tina Lasonya Brown, who was 38 years old at the time of the crime, was convicted of first-degree premeditated murder and kidnapping in 2012. The case originated from a personal dispute between Brown’s 16-year-old daughter, Britnee Miller, and Zimmerman, a 19-year-old neighbor and mother of two. The altercation escalated, leading to a violent retaliation orchestrated by Brown.

The Crime

On March 24, 2010, Brown lured Zimmerman to her mobile home under the pretense of reconciliation. Once there, Brown and an accomplice attacked Zimmerman, incapacitating her with a stun gun and forcing her into the trunk of Brown’s car. They drove to a secluded area in Pensacola, where they brutally assaulted Zimmerman before setting her on fire. Despite suffering catastrophic injuries, Zimmerman managed to crawl to a nearby home to seek help, providing a dying declaration that named her attackers.

Supreme Court Ruling

The Florida Supreme Court’s ruling addressed claims made by Brown’s defense team, including a recantation from a former cellmate and additional mitigation evidence. The court found the recantation to be not credible and determined that the new evidence would not likely result in a different sentencing outcome. According to the court, the original aggravating factors that led to the death penalty remained intact.

Legal Status and Next Steps

With the Florida Supreme Court’s decision, Brown has exhausted her state-level post-conviction appeals. Her legal team may now pursue federal options, including a petition for a writ of habeas corpus. If federal courts decline to intervene, Brown’s case could move into the pool of death row inmates awaiting an execution warrant from the Governor of Florida.

Historical Context

If executed, Brown would become the first woman to be executed in Florida since Judy Buenoano in 1998. Currently, she is the only woman on Florida’s death row.

For further details about the court proceedings, the full opinion from the Florida Supreme Court can be accessed online.

Sources

• Brown v. State of Florida :: 2026 :: Florida Supreme Court Decisions :: Florida Case Law :: Florida Law :: U.S. Law :: Justia
• Murder of Audreanna Zimmerman

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