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State of Florida v. Anthony Rivers III
Date: 10-26-2026
Case Number:
Judge: Not Available
Court: Circuit Court, Leon County, Florida
Plaintiff's Attorney: Leon County, Florida District Attorney's Office
Defendant's Attorney:
Click Here For The Best Tallahassee Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory
Description:
Tallahassee, Florida, criminal defense lawyer represents the Defendant charged with eleven counts of 1 counts of attempted second-degree murder and one count of possession of a firearm by a delinquent.
Anthony Rivers III, age 15, shot eleven people after a college football game in Tallahassee, Florida.
Rivers will be tired as an adult and not a juvenile.
Florida attempted second-degree murder is an inchoate (incomplete) criminal offense charged when a person commits an intentional, dangerous act with a depraved mind and no regard for human life, which fails to result in the victim's death.
Key Elements of the Law
• Depraved Mind (No Premeditation Required): Unlike first-degree murder, second-degree murder does not require a specific, pre-planned intent to kill. Instead, it requires an act imminently dangerous to another that shows a "depraved mind regardless of human life" (an extreme disregard for human safety).
• Attempt Component: Under Florida Statutes § 777.04 and § 782.04(2), an attempt occurs when a person does some overt act toward committing the second-degree murder but fails to complete the killing (or is intercepted/prevented).
• No Specific Intent to Kill Required: Florida law does not require the state to prove that the defendant specifically intended to kill a particular person, only that they intended to commit the imminently dangerous, reckless act.
Penalties
• Classification: Attempted second-degree murder is categorized as a second-degree felony (or a first-degree felony in certain aggravated circumstances, such as when combined with specific attempted felony-murder statutes or involving protected public servants).
• Prison & Fines: A standard second-degree felony in Florida carries a statutory maximum penalty of up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine (though penalties can be enhanced depending on the use of a firearm, criminal history, or the status of the victim). If the victim is a law enforcement officer or correctional officer, a conviction carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment under Florida Statutes § 782.065.
For the complete statutory text and classifications, review Chapter 782 of the Florida Statutes.
Attempted Second-Degree Murder - Florida Statutes 782.04(2) and 777.04
Statutes: Florida Statutes 782.04(2) (second-degree murder/depraved mind) and 777.04 (attempt).
Anthony Rivers III, age 15, shot eleven people after a college football game in Tallahassee, Florida.
Rivers will be tired as an adult and not a juvenile.
Florida attempted second-degree murder is an inchoate (incomplete) criminal offense charged when a person commits an intentional, dangerous act with a depraved mind and no regard for human life, which fails to result in the victim's death.
Key Elements of the Law
• Depraved Mind (No Premeditation Required): Unlike first-degree murder, second-degree murder does not require a specific, pre-planned intent to kill. Instead, it requires an act imminently dangerous to another that shows a "depraved mind regardless of human life" (an extreme disregard for human safety).
• Attempt Component: Under Florida Statutes § 777.04 and § 782.04(2), an attempt occurs when a person does some overt act toward committing the second-degree murder but fails to complete the killing (or is intercepted/prevented).
• No Specific Intent to Kill Required: Florida law does not require the state to prove that the defendant specifically intended to kill a particular person, only that they intended to commit the imminently dangerous, reckless act.
Penalties
• Classification: Attempted second-degree murder is categorized as a second-degree felony (or a first-degree felony in certain aggravated circumstances, such as when combined with specific attempted felony-murder statutes or involving protected public servants).
• Prison & Fines: A standard second-degree felony in Florida carries a statutory maximum penalty of up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine (though penalties can be enhanced depending on the use of a firearm, criminal history, or the status of the victim). If the victim is a law enforcement officer or correctional officer, a conviction carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment under Florida Statutes § 782.065.
For the complete statutory text and classifications, review Chapter 782 of the Florida Statutes.
Attempted Second-Degree Murder - Florida Statutes 782.04(2) and 777.04
Statutes: Florida Statutes 782.04(2) (second-degree murder/depraved mind) and 777.04 (attempt).
Outcome:
A criminal charge is not proof of guilty.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of State of Florida v. Anthony Rivers III?
The outcome was: A criminal charge is not proof of guilty.
Which court heard State of Florida v. Anthony Rivers III?
This case was heard in Circuit Court, Leon County, Florida, FL. The presiding judge was Not Available.
Who were the attorneys in State of Florida v. Anthony Rivers III?
Plaintiff's attorney: Leon County, Florida District Attorney's Office. Defendant's attorney: Click Here For The Best Tallahassee Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory.
When was State of Florida v. Anthony Rivers III decided?
This case was decided on October 26, 2026.