Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Gary FineoutMarch 4, 2016

With executions halted and the prosecution of some murder cases in limbo, the Florida Legislature overhauled the state’s death penalty law Thursday in response to a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court that the current sentencing law is unconstitutional. Legislators sent to Gov. Rick Scott a bill that would require that at least 10 out […]

Gary FineoutMarch 3, 2016

Florida is overhauling the death penalty in a bid to resume executions after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the state’s current sentencing law is unconstitutional. The Florida Legislature on Thursday sent to Gov. Rick Scott a bill that would require that at least 10 out of 12 jurors recommend execution in order for it be […]

Associated PressMarch 2, 2016

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Florida’s high court has delayed the execution of a convicted killer while lawmakers determine how to change the state’s death penalty sentencing system to comply with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that found it unconstitutional. The Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed the March 17 execution of Mark Asay, a Jacksonville man sentenced to death […]

Associated PressMarch 2, 2016

A sharply divided Florida Senate is rejecting a proposal to require a unanimous jury recommendation in death penalty cases. The Senate voted twice Wednesday on whether to require all 12 jurors to agree on death sentences. The proposal was rejected by votes of 22-18 and 23-17. Florida doesn’t require unanimous jury recommendations. But the Legislature […]

Associated PressFebruary 25, 2016

The Florida Senate is moving ahead with a compromise bill to overhaul the state’s death penalty law. A Senate committee voted Thursday to approve a death penalty bill that would require at least 10 out of 12 jurors to recommend execution in order for it to be carried out. The Senate originally wanted to require […]

Julie DelegalFebruary 24, 2016

The Florida Senate has the chance to repair the state’s death penalty statutes in a way that won’t invite years of litigation. Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court declared Florida’s death penalty procedures unconstitutional. Until the Legislature acts, the state’s prosecutors have no legal avenue for pursuing death penalty cases. House Bill 7101 is a […]

Martin DyckmanFebruary 23, 2016

Legislation that the Florida House of Representatives approved last week cures what the U.S. Supreme Court specifically found wrong with Florida’s death penalty, but Rick Scott shouldn’t plan on signing any more death warrants soon, if ever. Six large questions linger. Will the Supreme Court uphold it? The court did not say, in “Hurst v. […]

Associated PressFebruary 18, 2016

Florida lawmakers have come up with a way to fix the state’s death penalty and allow the state to resume executions. The Florida House on Thursday voted 93-20 and overwhelmingly passed a death penalty bill that would require at least 10 of 12 jurors to recommend execution for it to be imposed. The Senate is […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorFebruary 12, 2016

Toast: Two judges, some killers (unfortunately) and death penalty critics The death penalty doesn’t exist in Florida. At least not for now. And that’s a thing of beauty for people who don’t care for the policy much. Especially considering Florida is the second-most murderous state in the nation in terms of capital punishment. Two judges, […]

Associated PressFebruary 9, 2016

Legislation requiring a unanimous verdict from the jury to recommend the death penalty will head to the state Senate floor after passing a committee vote Monday. The Senate’s Criminal Justice Committee passed its version of a bill (SB 7068) that would revise Florida’s sentencing process for the death penalty. The Legislature is tasked with rewriting […]

Tag: death penalty
Image via Palatka Main Street.

Florida overhauls death penalty in bid to resume executions

Legislature sends death penalty overhaul bill to Rick Scott

Execution delayed while lawmakers work to fix system

Florida Senate narrowly votes down death penalty change

Senate panel signs off on possible fix to death penalty

Julie Delegal: Legislature’s death penalty “fix” is flawed

Martin Dyckman: Lingering questions should end death penalty in Florida

Florida comes up with a possible fix to death penalty

Toast to the Bay/Dump into the Bay: 2 Bay area judges; Jim Frishe

Bill requiring unanimous verdict for death penalty in Florida advances