Florida Gives James Dailey Stay Before November 7, 2019

James Dailey, Florida

October 7, 2019

James Milton Dailey had an execution date of Thursday, November 7, 2019, at the Florida State Prison, near Raiford, Florida. The execution was stayed. Seventy-five-year-old James is convicted of murdering 14-year-old Shelly Elizabeth Boggio. James has been on Florida’s death row for 32 years.

James received a stay of execution by U.S. District Judge William Jung. Judge Jung granted the stay to allow James’ new attorneys time to prepare their case. The stay of execution automatically expired on December 30, 2019. No new execution date has been set.

James is the second of three sons and was born in Spokane, Washington. James moved at least three times in his first seven years, with the family eventually ending up in Manhattan, Kansas, where he spent the rest of his childhood. During his school years, James was active in football, tennis, wrestling, and drama. James’ parents were also alcoholics, which led to James beginning to drink at the age of 14. While in his first year of college, James’ father died of a heart attack. James dropped out of school and joined the Air Force, serving three tours in Vietnam. His alcohol and drug problems eventually forced him to leave the military, and he received an honorable discharge. While in the military, James got married and had two kids. He and his wife divorced due to his drug and alcohol problems. After being discharged, James allowed a friend to adopt his two children. James held several different jobs after leaving the military.

On May 5, 1985, Shelly Boggio, her twin sister Stacey, and Stephanie Forsythe were picked up by three men, as they were hitchhiking near St. Petersburg, Florida. The three girls went with the three men – James Dailey, Jack Pearcy, and Dwaine Shaw – to a bar and then to Pearcy’s house, where they met his girlfriend, Gayle Bailey. Stacey and Stephanie then chose to return home.

Shelly went with Dailey, Pearcy, and Bailey to another bar before returning to Pearcy’s house again. Bailey went to the restroom, and when she emerged, the two men and Shelly were gone. Bailey did not look in Dailey’s bedroom, however, the car was gone.  

Several hours later, during which time Bailey claimed she remained awake, Dailey and Pearcy returned to the house. Dailey was only wearing his pants, which appeared to be wet, and was carrying a bundle.  

The following morning, on May 6, 1985, the three men went to a laundromat and told Bailey to pack for Miami, Florida. Later that morning, Shelly’s nude body was discovered in the water. Shelly died from drowning, although she had also been stabbed and strangled. It was also thought that she was sexually assaulted, however, due to her prolonged exposure to water, no physical evidence was found.

Dailey fled from Florida, eventually reaching California, where he was arrested and returned to Florida. Dailey and Pearcy were arrested and charged with her rape and murder. The men received separate trials. During Dailey’s trial, his attorney attempted to show that it was Pearcy who committed the crime. Dailey was unanimously sentenced to death, while Pearcy received a life sentence.

Pray for the family of Shelly Boggio. Pray for the strength for the family of James Dailey. Please pray that if James is innocent, lacks the competency to be executed, or should not be executed for any other reason, that evidence will be presented before his execution. Pray that James may come to find peace through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

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