Gov. DeSantis Removes Key Requirement for Death Penalty

Florida: DeSantis Removes Unanimous Jury Requirement for Death Penalty — Republican governor Ron DeSantis also expressed pride in signing the legislation, which will ensure that Florida receives the justice it deserves. Scott Eisen/Getty Images

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Thursday approved legislation that eliminates the necessity for jurors to unanimously endorse the death penalty before a judge may execute a person in a capital criminal case.

The measure allowing juries in capital cases to recommend the death sentence if four or fewer jurors object received the final approval from the Republican governor, who is anticipated to seek the Republican party's presidential nomination in the 2024 elections, according to a report published on US News

The Republican-controlled state legislature gave the proposal overwhelming backing. When a jury could not agree on a death sentence for Nikolas Cruz, who had been found guilty of shooting 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, support for the reform increased. The rampage was one of the bloodiest school shootings in American history that took place in February 2018.

According to the Capital Penalty Information Center, three jurors abstained from voting for the death penalty; therefore, Cruz received a life sentence without any chance of parole.

In a private signing ceremony that took place in his office with legislative leaders and the bill's sponsors, DeSantis granted his approval to the measure.

DeSantis Takes Pride of The Latest Death Penalty Measure

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stated that it is not fair for "one juror to veto a capital sentence once a defendant in a capital case is found guilty by a unanimous jury."

The Republican governor also expressed pride in signing the legislation, which will ensure that Florida receives the justice it deserves and that families are spared the agony experienced by the Parkland families.

Moving forward, a guilty murderer can be sentenced to death if at least eight out of the 12 jurors vote in favor of capital punishment, according to Politico.

The 27 US states that permit the death penalty demand that juries decide on sentences unanimously. The new Florida threshold will be lower than Alabama's requirement of a 10-to-2 majority. Judges may determine the punishment in Indiana and Missouri when a jury is split, per The New York Times.