By Paul Waldmiller
Did you know that Florida could end unanimous jury requirements for executing someone convicted of a crime?
Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida legislators proposed legislation making it easier to send convicts to death row by eliminating a unanimous jury requirement in capital punishment sentencing.
Republican state Senate President Kathleen Passidomo signaled that she is willing to revise Florida’s unanimous verdict requirement following the Nicholas Cruz decision where at least one jury member decided against the death penalty for Cruz.
Only three of 27 states that impose the death penalty do not require a unanimous vote among jurors. Alabama allows a 10-2 decision, and Missouri and Indiana allow a judge to decide when there is a divided jury.
There are two steps for someone convicted of a crime in Florida to receive the death penalty.
First, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt through a unanimous vote by jurors, there was at least one “aggravating factors.” A few of those factors include, murdering a child under the age of 12, killing a law enforcement officer, and, premedicated murder.
The second step under a new law if passed, would mean that jurors must also unanimously agree the aggravating factors outweigh any mitigating circumstances such as mental health issues, up-brining or someone that may not have the intellect to fully comprehend their actions.