Florida Legislature Taking Steps to Resume Death Penalty Cases
/With death penalty cases grinding to a halt across the state, the Florida Legislature is finally taking its first - and probably only steps - to fix the law so prosecutors can resume cases once again.
]Legislators are moving ahead with a measure that would require a unanimous jury verdict in cases where the death penalty is being sought.
Just a year ago legislators rejected the idea, but the state Supreme Court last October struck down a 2016 law that said the death penalty could be imposed after a 10-2 jury vote.
A Senate panel on Monday approved a bill requiring a unanimous jury verdict and a similar measure is being considered in the state House. The legislation could be among the first bills passed and sent to Gov. Rick Scott when the session officially kicks off in March. [MORE]
