Orange County judge denies new trial for convicted mass murderer Tommy Zeigler
Tommy Zeigler has been on Florida's death row longer than anyone in state history.
www.wesh.com
Orange County judge denies new trial for convicted mass murderer Tommy Zeigler
MAR 6, 2026ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. —
A circuit judge in Orange County has denied a defense motion for a new trial for Tommy Zeigler, a convicted mass murderer who has been on Florida's death row longer than anyone in state history.
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Zeigler's attorney said they plan to appeal to the Florida Supreme Court to seek Zeigler's release.
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Tommy Zeigler denied new trial after Orange judge rules new evidence doesn’t show he’s innocent
Zeigler’s attorney said he would appeal, again, but isn’t optimistic.
www.orlandosentinel.com
A decades-long battle to exonerate Tommy Zeigler for the 1975 murders of his wife, her parents and a customer is nearly over after an Orange County judge denied his latest attempt to obtain a new trial.
After years of seeking new DNA testing of the crime-scene evidence Zeigler and his lawyers claimed would prove his innocence, the now 80-year-old got his wish, and the tests became the primary subject of a five-day hearing in December.
But Circuit Judge Leticia Marques ruled late Friday that the evidence had not proved Zeigler “would probably be acquitted on retrial,” the standard set by Florida law.
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After 50 years, a final verdict for Tommy Zeigler
An Orlando judge has denied the death row inmate’s appeal to set aside his conviction.
Tommy Zeigler files new request for a hearing on his 1976 murder conviction
“The evidence in this case has always indicated strongly that multiple perpetrators were involved,” Zeigler’s attorney said in his motion.
www.orlandosentinel.com
