Florida Gov. DeSantis said he recognizes the bill will be challenged in the Supreme Court, but believes the court's precedent is 'wrong.'
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation on Monday that would allow people convicted of raping children under age 12 to be sentenced to death in the state.
The new law, however, could at some point be challenged. In 2008, the Supreme Court ruled in Kennedy vs. Louisiana that states cannot impose the death penalty when the victim is not killed. The Florida law states that a defendant is eligible for the death penalty if a jury unanimously finds two or more aggravating factors in the crime. The law lays out a number of aggravating factors, including whether the assault was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel.
“Unfortunately in our society, you have very heinous sex crimes committed against children under the age of 12 years old, and these are really the worst of the worst,” DeSantis said. “The perpetrators in these crimes are often serial offenders.” If the jury unanimously finds at least two aggravating factors without any mitigating factors, a minimum of eight jurors are needed for a death penalty sentence. The bill had strong bipartisan support in the Florida legislature. It passed the Senate by a 34-5 margin after being approved by the House by a 95-14 ledger. “We think that decision was wrong,” he said. “We think in the worst of the worst cases, the only appropriate punishment is the ultimate punishment.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
DeSantis expands Florida death penalty law, defying U.S. Supreme CourtGov. Ron DeSantis (R) expanded Florida’s death penalty law, potentially setting up a future U.S. Supreme Court case. The measure was the second recent expansion of capital punishment; the first allowed non-unanimous jury verdicts in trial sentencing.
Read more »
Gov. DeSantis signs bill to allow the death penalty for people who commit child rapesSetting the stage for a possible legal battle, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a bill that would allow the death penalty for people who commit sexual battery on children under age 12.
Read more »
Gov. DeSantis signs bill to allow the death penalty for people who commit child rapesSetting the stage for a possible legal battle, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a bill that would allow the death penalty for people who commit sexual battery on children under age 12.
Read more »
Gov. DeSantis signs bills cracking down on fentanyl dealers, child rapistsGov. Ron DeSantis was in Titusville on Monday to sign three bills including one aimed at cracking down on those who sell fentanyl.
Read more »
DeSantis-backed Florida tourism board to counter-sue DisneyThe Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board announced that it will counter-sue Disney after the company filed a lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Read more »
Florida Legislature: We delivered for DeSantis this session'The governor can rightly claim credit for having one of the biggest sessions certainly in Florida history,' said one top Republican.
Read more »