Yesterday (Jan 7) the Florida Supreme Court affirmed the conviction of MARGARET ALLEN (52) for the 2005 torture and murder of Wenda Wright (39), her former housekeeper.

Trial testimony revealed that ALLEN suspected Wright had stolen $2000 from her, resulting in ALLEN holding and torturing Wright for hours before strangling her with a belt.

On May 19, 2011 ALLEN was sentenced to death by Brevard Circuit Judge George Maxwell after a jury unanimously recommended the death penalty. ALLEN also received a life sentence for the offense of kidnapping. ALLEN's associate, James MARTIN, and another man Quinton ALLEN (no relation), were both convicted for their part in helping her bury Wright's body in a shallow grave.

ALLEN's original death penalty conviction was previously affirmed on direct appeal July 11, 2013. ALLEN then sought post conviction relief to the appellate court based on several arguments, including ineffective council. The appellate court upheld the conviction, as did to the Florida Supreme Court that issued it's ruling yesterday.

Download The Florida Supreme Court Opinion

Todd Brown

Public Information &
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(321) 617-7310

Office of the State Attorney
18th Judicial Circuit
2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way
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Viera, FL 32940