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Florida is lowering the bar for the death penalty.
How?
Yesterday, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) signed a bill that reverses a 2017 state law requiring a unanimous jury decision for the death penalty. Under the new law, only eight out of 12 jurors need to recommend capital punishment. The legislation is in response to the Parkland gunman’s trial. Last year, a judge sentenced him to life in prison without parole, after a jury voted 9-3 in favor of execution. The sentence infuriated the families of the 17 people killed in the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Only three other states — Alabama, Missouri, and Indiana — don't require a unanimous jury vote. Now, Florida has the lowest threshold in the nation for the death penalty. The law went into effect as soon as DeSantis signed on the dotted line.
What are people saying?
DeSantis said once a defendant is found guilty by a unanimous jury in a capital case, “one juror should not be able to veto a capital sentence.” Parkland victims' families said the new law will save other families from the injustices they said they suffered. Meanwhile, critics said the legislation violates the constitution and could lead to wrongful executions. One org found that at least 30 inmates sentenced to death in Florida have been exonerated — more than in any other state. The law could also be at odds with a majority of Floridians, who prefer life without parole for murder convictions. FL’s new law is expected to be challenged in the courts. It all comes as Gov. DeSantis is expected to sign a separate bill that would allow the death penalty for defendants convicted in the rape of a child under 12.
theSkimm
Currently, 27 states allow capital punishment. Now, Florida has the lowest threshold for the death penalty in the country. It means some Floridians who are convicted in the future could see their fate decided much quicker, just as Americans remain divided on the issue.
and also...this
Who's getting off scot-free for now…
Alec Baldwin. Yesterday, New Mexico prosecutors dropped involuntary manslaughter charges against the actor for the deadly “Rust” shooting. Earlier this year, Baldwin pleaded not guilty to the charges in the death of 42-year-old cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The movie's director Joel Souza was also shot and injured. In a statement, prosecutors said “new facts were revealed that demand further investigation and forensic analysis.” New evidence reportedly showed that the gun Baldwin used on set was altered, potentially impacting the prosecution's claims against the actor. The decision came on the same day filming for the movie resumed and less than two weeks before Baldwin's trial was scheduled to begin. The actor's lawyers said they are “pleased with the decision to dismiss the case.” However, this may not be over just yet. Prosecutors said the charges against Baldwin could be refiled, depending on their investigation. Meanwhile, the film’s armorer (who is in charge of guns on movie sets) is still facing charges.
What's made its way through one chamber…
A ban on trans athletes. Yesterday, the Republican-controlled House passed a bill that would ban transgender women and girls from competing in female school sports. It passed strictly along party lines with a 219-203 vote. The bill’s supporters said parents don't “believe it’s equitable a male can compete with women in female athletics.” The bill is reportedly the first measure to make it this far at the federal level. It calls for Title IX — a federal civil rights law that blocks sex-based discrimination — to recognize the sex of a person as assigned at birth. Over the last few years, GOP lawmakers have pushed legislation to limit or ban trans girls from competing in school sports across 21 states. The bill has zero chance of passing the Democratic-held Senate. Even if it did, President Biden said he’d automatically veto it. The White House said the bill “targets people for who they are and therefore is discriminatory.”
What’s looking at the fine print…
A book ban report. Yesterday, a new report from PEN America found that almost 1,500 books were pulled from school shelves between July and December 2022. PEN said nearly 75% of the books pulled are a result of a push from advocacy groups or new legislation. Some of the most targeted books include “Gender Queer” and “Flamer” — which focus on gender identity. A graphic novel edition of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Milk and Honey,” and “The Bluest Eye” were also among the most banned. Most of the book bans are happening in Texas, Florida, Missouri, Utah, and South Carolina, driven mostly by “local actors and state-level policy.” However, the report said the number of book bans is “unquestionably much higher.”
What people are talking about…
BuzzFeed News. Yesterday, BuzzFeed announced it’s shutting down its Pulitzer Prize-winning news division and cutting another 15% of its staff. Buzzfeed has lost about 90% of its value since it went public in 2021. The company said it'll continue to publish news under the HuffPost brand, which Buzzfeed bought in 2020.
Where success is measured differently...
What's apparently behind graying hair…
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Your favorite realtors are back at it again.
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