Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan RayMay 5, 2016

The Florida Supreme Court weighed arguments on whether the state will execute a convicted murderer or overturn his death sentence on Thursday. Timothy Hurst‘s legal counsel argued errors in the sentencing process should invalidate his sentence in light of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that briefly invalidated Florida’s death penalty regime. Attorneys for the state, […]

Associated PressMay 4, 2016

With the fate of hundreds of Florida death row inmates in limbo, a group of former top judges and legal officials called on the state Supreme Court to impose life sentences on nearly 400 people now awaiting execution. The group, which includes three former state Supreme Court justices and two former presidents of the American […]

Peter SchorschMarch 21, 2016

State Rep. Matt Gaetz is ready to bring his fiery brand of northwest Florida conservatism to Washington D.C. The Fort Walton Beach Republican is abandoning his bid for the Florida Senate and instead will run for the congressional seat now held by Republican Jeff Miller. He announced he will retire at the end of his eighth and current term. […]

Associated PressMarch 7, 2016

Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed into law a major overhaul of Florida’s death penalty on Monday in response to a U.S. Supreme Court decision declaring the previous system unconstitutional. The new law requires at least 10 out of 12 jurors recommend execution for it to be carried out. Florida previously required that a majority of […]

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 […]

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, […]

Gary FineoutFebruary 10, 2016

With Florida’s death penalty law in limbo due to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling, Emily Cope on Wednesday described in chilling detail how her father, Keith, was hog-tied and left for dead back in 2009 when she was a teenager. Cope recalled how her father suffered a stroke while he was left bound with rope […]

Melissa RossJanuary 19, 2016

Death penalty cases across Florida have been thrown into a state of uncertainty after last week’s Supreme Court ruling finding the state’s sentencing system for capital cases unconstitutional. That’s simply more heartache for Jacksonville’s Farah family, who say they simply want closure after the 2013 slaying of Shelby Farah. “I never believed in the death […]

Guest AuthorNovember 4, 2015

Do you remember where you were Nov. 6, 1986? I do. I walked into Chamberlain High School, in North Tampa, and over to my friend’s locker to wish her a happy birthday. I don’t remember the friend, she is one of those faceless, nameless acquaintances we meet in high school and soon forget. But I […]

Associated PressOctober 13, 2015

Florida’s unique system for imposing the death penalty is encountering some skeptics on the U.S. Supreme Court. But it was not clear Tuesday whether a majority would find that the state gives judges too much power to decide capital sentences. The justices heard arguments in the case of inmate Timothy Lee Hurst, who was convicted […]

Tag: capital punishment

Supreme Court hears arguments on overturning death sentences

Florida’s high court urged to throw out death sentences

Matt Gaetz launching campaign for Florida’s 1st Congressional District

Rick Scott signs into law overhaul of Florida death penalty

Legislature sends death penalty overhaul bill to Rick Scott

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

Rick Scott remains mum on how to fix state’s death penalty

Jax death penalty case in spotlight after Supreme Court ruling

Catherine Durkin Robinson: Thank you, Governor Scott, for signing this man’s death warrant

U.S. Supreme Court reviews Florida’s death penalty