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 […]

Brendan FarringtonMarch 11, 2016

The Legislature was getting ready to wrap up its 60-day legislative session Friday absent the drama that marked last year’s lawmaking process. The most important thing left for lawmakers on the final day was passing the $82.3 billion budget, a vote that couldn’t take place before 2:53 p.m. because of a requirement that lawmakers wait […]

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 […]

Jim RosicaMarch 7, 2016

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Gov. Rick Scott has signed into law a measure that overhauls Florida’s death penalty by requiring that at least 10 out of 12 jurors recommend an execution for it to be ordered. Scott approved the bill (HB 7101) on Monday, according to a statement from his office. Florida previously only required that a majority of jurors […]

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 […]

Tag: death penalty
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

Supreme Court hears arguments on overturning death sentences

Florida’s high court urged to throw out death sentences

Almost there: Sine die is nigh

Rick Scott signs into law overhaul of Florida death penalty

Rick Scott signs death penalty overhaul into law

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