In a major decision, the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday found that Florida’s death-penalty sentencing system is unconstitutional. The case focused on the role of juries in recommending whether defendants should receive the death penalty.
“We hold this sentencing scheme unconstitutional,” the Supreme Court opinion said. “The Sixth Amendment requires a jury, not a judge, to find each fact necessary to impose a sentence of death. A jury’s mere recommendation is not enough.”
The News Service will have a full story later Tuesday.