Last week, the Florida Supreme Court released its opinion in Richard Franklin’s case.
New Sentencing Hearing for Florida Death Row Inmate Richard Franklin
Their decision? Franklin should get a new sentencing hearing on his murder conviction of a prison guard.
Why? There was not complete agreement among the jurors in his initial sentencing. "
The United States Supreme Court has just heard oral arguments in a death penalty case where the intellectual ability and mental capabilities of the defendant is an issue.
Those interested in this aspect of capital punishment may want to read the oral argument transcript in Moore v. Texas, which is available online here.
DSM
While there have been many delays of executions this year, both by overall court decision (e.g., Florida) and by stays in an individual case (e.g., Texas), the death penalty is being carried out in this country.
Georgia Execution Scheduled Today: Steven Frederick Spears
Today, in fact, the State of Georgia is scheduled to execute Steven
For details on yesterday’s election results regarding capital punishment, read the coverage provided by The Marshall Project, the Catholic News Agency, and the ABA Journal.
Here’s the gist of it:
1. California
Two different issues placed before voters in California. The results: they voted AGAINST repealing the death penalty. And they voted on a proposal
For those like Terence Lenamon, who fight on the issues of mental illness and intellectual ability in capital punishment, the use of the "Lennie Standard" by the State of Texas comes as no surprise. It’s been used for years.
Of Mice and Men
Thing is, lots of people weren’t aware of this standard and they
Well, there was another big case out of the Florida Supreme Court regarding capital punishment this month. Walls v. State was released on October 20, 2016.
Retroactive Application of Hall v. Florida
Last week, the decision in Walls v. State was issued. In this case, the High Court has ruled that over two dozen
As Florida deals with the aftermath of the recent Florida Supreme Court decision in Hurst v. Florida (see our last post), media coverage includes considering what this means for the State of Florida and the state of capital punishment now. In the short term, if not the long run.
What Happens Now? Miami
The Florida Supreme Court has published its opinion in Hurst v. Florida. You can read the opinion below.
The state supreme court has held that the law passed earlier this year by the Florida Legislature is unconstitutional.
The law allowed the death penalty if the jury recommendation was 10 to 2 at a minimum.
This week, the United States Supreme Court refused to take a case. The High Court’s refusal to hear arguments and grade the papers of a lower Arizona court decision means that decision stands. It’s good law. It’s final.
Sometimes, SCOTUS’s power lies it is decision not to exercise that power.
The Arizona Case Where Writ