Attorney for man in Murabella murder case wants death penalty off the table

RELATED: Colley reportedly left voicemails for wife hours before attack 

The 2015 murder of two women in St. Johns County could become the latest test of Florida’s death penalty statute.

The lawyer for James Colley, the man accused of murdering his wife and her best friend at their St. Johns County home in Aug. 2015, says the state has no applicable death penalty statute.

The state is seeking the death penalty for Colley, who has been jailed without bond since he was captured in Virginia the same day he is accused of killing the two women.

Colley, who was estranged from his wife Amanda, allegedly drove to their home in the Murabella subdivision on Aug. 27, 2015 and shot his wife and Lindy Dobbins, a friend who was also at the residence.

Colley's lawyer cited the U.S. Supreme Court's invalidation of Florida's death penalty, which has led to numerous delays in Florida's death penalty cases.

This is the second time Colley's legal team has filed a motion seeking the removal of a possible death sentence.

BACKGROUND: TWO PEOPLE ESCAPED DEADLY SHOOTING

Colley reportedly began his assault by shooting through sliding glass doors at the home on 260 Bellagio Drive in the Murabella subdivision near World Golf Village.

Two of the survivors in the Aug. 27 shooting, Rachel Hendricks and Lamar Douberly, were interviewed by investigators and gave a horrifying account of what happened.

According to the survivors’ statements, Colley emerged from the rear of the house and began shooting while four people were inside. Among the four were Amanda Colley,  Dobbins, and Hendricks and Douberly.

The witnesses said Colley, armed with a handgun, gained entry into the home while Dobbins and Hendricks hid in a closet. The statement said that Colley entered the closet and shot Dobbins.

Hendricks was able to escape the closet; she ran from the scene and called 911. Douberly also called 911 after escaping through the garage door.

Cox Media Group