WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
Kathleen Smith, the public defender in Southwest Florida's 20th Judicial Circuit, asked the Supreme Court last week to take up the issue in a Lee County dispute.
Read More »Fla. Supreme Court Asked To Consider Videoconferences In Baker Act Hearings
Court Requires Unanimous Juries In Death Penalty Cases
The Florida Supreme Court ruled Friday that jury recommendations to impose the death penalty must be unanimous.
Read More »Fla.’s Death Penalty On Hold As Court Looks For Answers
Executions are on hold, judges across the state are postponing death penalty cases, and defense lawyers are seeking additional reviews.
Read More »10-Year-Old Arrested, Charged With Manslaughter In Death Of 2-Year-Old
A 10-year-old was booked into the Marion County Juvenile Detention Center yesterday, where he was placed on a juvenile hold until his first appearance hearing Thursday morning.
Read More »Donald Shepherd’s Attorney Suggests The Former Mayoral Candidate Will Not Take His Case To Trial
Donald Shepherd, one of Gainesville’s mayoral candidates in last month's city election, will likely not take his case to trial.
Read More »Scott Signs Death Penalty Fix Into Law
On Monday, Gov. Rick Scott signed into law a measure designed to fix the state's death-penalty after it was found unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in January. The Court found the old system of giving judges, not juries, the power to impose death sentences was an unconstitutional violation of defendants' right to trial by jury.
Read More »Mayoral Candidate Donald Shepherd, Charged With Grand Theft Auto, Waives Right to Speedy Trial
Shepherd’s next court hearing will be held April 11.
Read More »Gainesville Mayoral Candidate Donald Shepherd Pleads Not Guilty
Shepherd, a candidate for City of Gainesville mayor, pled not guilty this morning on a charge of grand theft auto. He was appointed a public defender.
Read More »Alachua County Public Defender Headed for $5.3 Million New Office
The 22,000-square-foot office space is estimated to cost $5.3 million.
Read More »Tallahassee Homeless Ordinance Creates Conversation In Gainesville
A potential ordinance in Tallahassee, which would strictly limit the presence of homeless people in public places, was discussed Friday. Some Gainesville officials are advocating for a more collaborative way to address the issue.
Read More »