February 28, 2022 - Mr. McFarland's combination Rule 3.800/3.850 motion granted vacating a mandatory life sentence and placing client on probation

February 28, 2022, Leon County (Tallahassee, Florida) state circuit court Judge Stephen Everett granted Mr. McFarland's combination Rule 3.800 and Rule 3.850 motion and vacated a mandatory life sentence for first degree murder for our client James Squaire, Jr., and allowed him to enter a plea to a lesser included charge of second degree murder and a time served sentence followed by life probation. Mr. Squaire was released the following day after the Department of Corrections cleared the release. His mother and father took him back home to Jacksonville where he enjoyed his first meal as a free man. Our client had served 25 years in prison when his family came to retain us. On its face it appeared to be a procedurally barred, hopeless case.