Bio

Bruce Douglas Pace was born on December 12, 1959. He grew up in Florida. As a young adult, Pace faced difficulties and became involved in crime. On June 21, 1982, he was convicted of robbery with a firearm and received probation. However, he violated this probation and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. He was released on March 10, 1987.

Pace's life took a significant turn after his release. He continued to struggle with various issues. In the months leading up to his arrest in 1988, he encountered money problems. This situation escalated and led him to interact with people in his community in ways that would have lasting consequences.

Murder Story

On November 4, 1988, Bruce Douglas Pace was involved in the murder of Floyd Covington, a taxi driver. On that day, Floyd's daughter communicated with him via the radio in his cab. Later, she was unable to reach him. By November 7, 1988, his family reported him missing, leading police to search for him.

Police found Floyd's taxi, a white Buick station wagon, hidden under brush in a wooded area. Bloodstains indicated that he had been shot from the passenger seat while sitting in the driver's seat. Floyd's body was discovered on November 10, 1988, about 12 miles from the taxi. His wallet was also found nearby.

The medical examiner concluded that Floyd had been shot two to seven days before his body was found. Witnesses reported seeing Floyd with Pace earlier that morning, and another witness saw Pace later in the day with dirty clothes but no visible injuries.

After the shooting, Pace spoke to his friends about having a gun. He retrieved a shotgun from a nearby building and was seen firing it. He then claimed that he had been attacked and knocked unconscious but woke up in the woods, where he found the shotgun and blood inside the taxi.

Pace voluntarily surrendered to the sheriff’s office the day after the murder. He was charged with first-degree murder and robbery with a firearm. On November 16, 1989, he was sentenced to death for the murder. His appeals for a new trial and for habeas corpus were denied by higher courts.