Florida's Republican Governor Rick Scott signed into law an overhaul of the state's penalty which will now require at least 10 out of 12 jurors to recommend the death penalty, instead of a simple majority. UPI / Gary I Rothstein |
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla., March 7 (UPI) -- Florida's Republican Gov. Rick Scott signed a state death penalty overhaul bill into law on Monday in response to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling their previous system was unconstitutional.
The Florida Legislature sent the bill to the governor late last week, with a new requirement that at least 10 out of 12 jurors recommend the death penalty in order for it to be carried out. The requirement was changed because the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in January that the current method -- of only a majority of jurors being required -- was unconstitutional.
The law will not change the advisory role of the jury recommendation in a trial. The judge still has the final say and will still be able to rule for a life sentence instead. However, a judge will not be able to impose the death penalty without the jury recommendation first.
Gov. Scott, a death penalty proponent, has overseen more executions than any other governor since the death penalty was reinstated in the state in the 1970s.
"It is my solemn duty to uphold the laws of Florida and my foremost concern is always for the victims and their loved ones. I hope this legislation will allow families of these horrific crimes to get the closure they deserve," Scott said in a statement.
Republican State Sen. Greg Evers, chairman of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee, said it would be a better law if a unanimous jury recommendation was required before a judge could impose the death penalty. Evers expects the law will be challenged.
"I feel like we've got a good death penalty bill," Evers said. "I feel like it will hold up in court until some judge, somewhere, decides not."
