Execution delayed while lawmakers work to fix system

Mildred Bowen
10:35, Mar 4, 2016
Copyright 2015 All rights reserved. This material can't be published, transferred, copied or redistributed.
Copyright 2015 All rights reserved. This material can't be published, transferred, copied or redistributed.

Florida has the nation's second largest Death Row population of 389 inmates. Florida's Supreme Court justices, with the exception of one dissenter, disagreed, saying that applying the law that way could result is disproportionate sentences.

But it shows the continuing impact that the Supreme Court's ruling on Florida's death penalty is having this year.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruling triggered a debate in Florida over how much the state should change its law, including whether lawmakers should require a unanimous jury recommendation in death penalty cases.

Aggravating factors can include a number of circumstances ranging from the defendant's criminal history, to the number of people killed, to whether the victim's death is exceptionally heinous or cruel.

Williams was sentenced under Florida's 10-20-life gun law after being convicted of pointing a gun at the men who were whistling and ogling him from a neighbor's Riviera Beach home and then firing into the air several times. The March 17 execution is now on hold "pending further order" from the Florida Supreme Court, according to the document.

Legislators were initially divided over whether they should require a unanimous jury recommendation in death penalty cases.

The bill approved Thursday by the state Senate was passed earlier by the House of Representatives and will now be sent to Scott for a signature.

The bill has already completed its rounds in the state legislature and is awaiting approval from Gov. Rick Scott.

Sen. Thad Altman, R-Melbourne, who opposes capital punishment, was the only Republican to vote against the bill. Jeff Clemens, a Lake Worth Democrat and one of the "no" votes.

The killer of Emilee Cope's father was sentenced to die after a jury recommended the death penalty by a 10-2 vote.

"The jury needs to make this ultimate decision, not the judges", said Sen.

Eddins said under the new process, the state must give written notice to its intent to seek the death penalty and specify which aggravating factors it intends to prove.

Forced to rewrite the rules, the Legislature had no guidance on how the court might come down on the unanimity issue.

Fed survey finds stronger home sales, weaker exports
The mixed outlook comes a few weeks ahead of the next Federal Reserve meeting to discuss policy, slated for March 15 and 16. Consumer spending rose in most Fed districts, and labor markets continued to improve, according to the Fed's Beige Book.

Copyright 2015 All rights reserved. This material can't be published, transferred, copied or redistributed.


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