WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
Michael Lambrix has been on death row for 33 years. He was convicted in 1984 for two first-degree murders. He's dodged execution three times.
Read More »Life On Death Row: Michael Lambrix Has Thrice Avoided Execution
Activists Push For Ex-Felon Voter Rights Restoration
After thousands of signatures were rounded up, the Florida Supreme Court will rule on whether it will allow the Voting Restoration Amendment to be on the ballot in the 2018 election.
Read More »Prosecutor Challenges Florida Governor Over Removal From Death-Penalty Cases
Central Florida State Attorney Aramis Ayala is suing Gov. Rick Scott in federal and state courts over her removal from nearly two dozen death-penalty cases, including the high-profile case of accused cop-killer Markeith Loyd.
Read More »21 More Cases Taken From Anti-Death Penalty Prosecutor
Governor Rick Scott is taking away 21 more first-degree murder cases from a prosecutor who has said she will no longer seek the death penalty.
Read More »Despite Former Death Row Inmate’s Testimony, Death Penalty Changes Pass Florida Legislature And Gov. Scott
Former death row inmate Herman Lindsey testified on Feb. 22 before the legislature in hopes of raising awareness about changes to the death penalty bill. However, the bill still passed the Florida Legislature and was signed by Gov. Scott on Monday.
Read More »Scott Signs Death Penalty Sentencing Bill
In response to a series of court rulings set off by the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Hurst v. Florida in January 2016, Gov. Rick Scott signed a law Monday aimed at fixing flaws in the state's capital sentencing procedure.
Read More »Justices Uphold Ban On Openly Carrying Guns
Rejecting arguments by Second Amendment supporters, the Florida Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a longstanding state ban on people openly carrying firearms in public.
Read More »Committee Backs Unanimous Juries In Florida Death Cases
Florida's House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday approved a measure (HB 527) that would replace a law requiring at least 10 of 12 jurors to recommend death with the requirement that juries instead be unanimous.
Read More »Temporary Injunction For Mandatory Delay Law For Abortions Upheld
A Gainesville women's center was part of party that filed a suit against the state of Florida regarding a law that required a 24-hour wait period before a woman could get an abortion. Florida's Supreme Court found that the state would have to provide extra proof when defending any laws regarding privacy rights, while also suggesting the law was likely unconstitutional.
Read More »Death Penalty Cases Allowed To Move Forward
The Florida Supreme Court on Monday ordered that death penalty cases can proceed, even with an unconstitutional law, which requires only 10 members of the 12-person jury to recommend the death penalty, still on the books.
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