Jack Sliney’s latest appeal of his death sentence has been denied by the Florida Supreme Court, keeping him on death row.
In 1994, Sliney was convicted of First Degree Premeditated Murder and Robbery with a Deadly Weapon for the 1992 murder of George Blumberg, a pawnshop owner in Charlotte County. He was sentenced to death at that time.
In June 1992, Sliney and his codefendant, Keith Whitteman, went into Blumberg’s pawnshop and during their visit began arguing with him about the price of a necklace. Sliney then hit Blumberg in the head with a camera, stabbed him with scissors before hitting him in the head with a hammer. Blumberg died in the pawnshop as a result of his injuries.
Sliney was arrested after he sold two guns matching the gun registry from Blumberg’s pawnshop.
Witteman was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for First Degree Murder During the Commission of a Felony and 10 years in prison for Robbery with a Deadly Weapon.
Samantha Syoen
Communications Director
State Attorney’s Office
239-533-1125
ssyoen@sao20.org