Bio

Scott Mansfield was born on May 24, 1961. He grew up in Osceola County, Florida. 

Murder Story

On October 15, 1995, in Osceola County, Florida, Sara Robles was found dead in a grassy area next to a grocery store called Winn-Dixie. Her body showed signs of violence, including mutilation of her breasts and genitals. The medical examiner later determined that the cause of death was asphyxia from airway compression due to blunt force trauma to her neck.

Earlier that night, Robles had been at Rosie’s Pub with Jesus Alfonso. Alfonso left around 1:30 a.m., but Robles stayed to play pool with Scott Mansfield, a man she had met there. They left the pub with another man, William Finnerman, around 2:00 a.m. According to a night clerk at Winn-Dixie, Mansfield and Robles entered the store during the early hours of October 15 and were seen outside afterward.

When Robles's body was discovered, there were receipts, a pager, and food stamps found nearby. The pager belonged to Mansfield. Investigators noticed fresh scratches on Mansfield's hands and knees when they questioned him. He admitted to being with Robles that night and was arrested shortly after. At the time of his arrest, he was wearing a ring with a "Grim Reaper" design.

The next day, police searched Mansfield's apartment, where they found a knife and some of Robles's belongings. Witnesses, including Mansfield's niece, reported seeing him wet and wearing only shorts early that morning, with possible blood stains on his shorts. During the investigation, the medical examiner mentioned that the injuries on Robles's neck matched the pattern of the ring Mansfield was wearing.

In jail, Mansfield’s cellmate testified that Mansfield confessed to the murder. He was indicted for first-degree murder on October 20, 1995. A jury found him guilty in 1997, and he was sentenced to death on January 30, 1998.

Mansfield filed multiple appeals and motions after his conviction. However, the Florida Supreme Court affirmed his sentence in 2000. He also filed petitions to the United States Supreme Court, but those were denied as well. As of now, the legal process surrounding his case has been extensive, indicating ongoing attempts to challenge his conviction and sentence.