Florida overhauls death penalty in bid to resume executions
Source: Associated Press
Florida overhauls death penalty in bid to resume executions
Gary Fineout, Associated Press
Updated 1:03 pm, Thursday, March 3, 2016
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — 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 was 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 carried out. Florida previously only required that a majority of jurors recommend a death sentence.
Scott has not said if he will sign the measure but he has supported Florida's use of the death penalty since he became governor.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in January that the current law is unconstitutional because it allows judges to reach a different decision than juries, which have only an advisory role in recommending death.
Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Florida-overhauls-death-penalty-in-bid-to-resume-6868304.php