death penalty

Without explanation, the Supreme Court issued an order rejecting requests by inmate Duane Owen's lawyers to halt Thursday's planned execution. The Florida Supreme Court also issued two opinions last week refusing to block the execution.

In what would be Florida’s fourth execution in less than four months, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a death warrant for a man convicted of committing two murders in Palm Beach County nearly 40 years ago.

The law permits the death penalty even in cases where only eight of 12 jurors approve. Two formerly condemned inmates who are still behind bars say the change gives too much power over life and death to prosecutors.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the the bill Monday along with two other components of his criminal justice legislative package.

Lawmakers hope the bill (HB 1297) will ultimately lead to the U.S. Supreme Court reversing a 2008 decision that barred the death penalty for people who rape children.

Legislators approved a bill that will allow death penalty sentences with the recommendation of at least eight jurors in favor. It now heads to Gov. Ron DeSantis' desk.

Louis Gaskin became the 101st person executed in Florida since the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976. He had been sentenced to death for the murder of a north Florida couple in 1989.

Louis Bernard Gaskin, 56, is scheduled to be put to death for the 1989 deaths of a couple in Flagler County.

Florida lawmakers appear ready to pass a proposal that would allow the death penalty for people who commit sexual batteries on children under age 12.

Florida lawmakers this week reached the halfway point in this year’s 60-day legislative session. The House and Senate have passed high-profile bills involving issues such as affordable housing and school vouchers, but major issues remain to be resolved.

The Florida Senate is passing a bill to repeal a law requiring a unanimous jury recommendation for the death penalty.

The attorneys convicted murderer Louis Gaskin are asking the Florida Supreme court to halt his execution, arguing in part that a jury was not given evidence of Gaskin’s mental illness before recommending that he be sentenced to death in the 1989 murders of a Flagler County couple.