Timothy Lee Hurst was around 19 years old when he worked at a Popeye’s restaurant on Nine Mile Road in Escambia County, Florida. On the morning of 2 May 1998, Hurst was scheduled to open the restaurant with assistant manager Cynthia Lee Harrison. Witnesses saw them both arrive for their shifts, but early that morning, Hurst's car was allegedly discovered breaking down. He called in to say he'd be late, and Harrison sounded “scared” with a whispery background — Hurst claimed he missed work, though his account later strained credibility.

On 2 May 1998, Hurst allegedly stabbed Cynthia Harrison during a robbery at Popeye’s. A coworker recognized Hurst’s car outside. Investigators connected him to the crime with physical and testimonial evidence: blood-stained clothing, stolen cash used to buy jewelry and shoes, and witness ID.

A grand jury indicted Hurst on 26 May 1998 . After a lengthy trial, the jury found him guilty on 23 March 2000 . During the penalty phase, the jury recommended death by a 7–5 vote. However, under then-Florida law, the judge alone made the factual findings justifying a death sentence.

Hurst appealed, arguing that Florida’s scheme violated the Sixth Amendment following Ring v. Arizona. In January 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed — in Hurst v. Florida, 577 U.S. 92, it held 8–1 that a judge cannot override a jury’s fact-finding when imposing death. On 14 October 2016, the Florida Supreme Court ordered a new sentencing hearing and required unanimous jury agreement for death sentences. Ultimately, on 5 March 2020, Hurst was resentenced to life imprisonment without parole.