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Associated PressMay 22, 2017

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The Supreme Court has left in place a lower court ruling that said imposing a death sentence in Florida requires a unanimous jury. The justices on Monday turned away an appeal from Florida officials seeking to overturn the ruling last year from the state’s highest court. The Florida Supreme Court had struck down a newly […]

Associated PressOctober 22, 2016

Attorney General Pam Bondi, warning that murder trials across the state could be placed in limbo, has asked the Florida Supreme Court to clarify a sweeping death penalty ruling it handed down last week. In two linked cases, the court first concluded that death sentences must require a unanimous jury and then struck down a […]

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 […]

Scott PowersJanuary 27, 2016

Before the end of this session, the Florida Senate will pass a reform of death penalty laws, Criminal Justice Committee Chairman Greg Evers vowed Wednesday after hearing legal experts say Florida’s system needs reform even without the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down part of it two weeks ago. Evers also declared, “the state of […]

Scott PowersJanuary 27, 2016

Before the end of this Session, the Florida Senate will pass a reform of death penalty laws, Criminal Justice Committee Chairman Greg Evers vowed Wednesday after hearing legal experts say Florida’s system needs reform even without the recent U.S. Supreme Court two weeks ago ruling that struck down part of it. Evers also declared, “the state of […]

Bob SparksJanuary 14, 2016

On Tuesday night, the U.S. House and Senate gathered in a joint session to hear President Barack Obama deliver his final State of the Union address. Tuesday morning, the Florida House of Representatives and Senate also convened in joint session for Gov. Rick Scott’s State of the State remarks. These speeches normally provide a roadmap […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 12, 2016

(UPDATED) The U.S. Supreme Court has struck down Florida’s controversial system that allows judges, and not juries, to decide whether or not convicted criminals deserve the death penalty. The high court ruled 8-1 against the current system, with only Justice Samuel Alito dissenting. The court sided with Timothy Lee Hurst, who was convicted of the […]

Martin DyckmanJuly 20, 2015

None of the nine U.S. Supreme Court justices has ever had the gut-wrenching experience of looking another person in the face to say, “I sentence you to die.” They have passed on or passed up hundreds of capital appeals, but that’s far removed from having to impose a death sentence at trial. “It’s hard to […]

Martin DyckmanJuly 20, 2015

None of the nine U.S. Supreme Court justices has ever had the gut-wrenching experience of looking another person in the face to say, “I sentence you to die.” They have passed on or passed up hundreds of capital appeals, but that’s far removed from having to impose a death sentence at trial. “It’s hard to […]

Tag: Timothy Lee Hurst

Justices rejects Florida appeal over death penalty

Pam Bondi wants court to clarify death penalty ruling

Florida’s high court urged to throw out death sentences

Greg Evers vows Florida Senate will reform Florida’s death penalty law

Greg Evers vows state Senate will reform Florida’s death penalty law

Bob Sparks: U.S. Supreme Court adds to Legislature’s “to do” list

U.S. Supreme Court rules Florida death penalty system is unconstitutional

Martin Dyckman: Looming narrow point of law could clear death row

Martin Dyckman: Looming narrow point of law could clear death row