Florida could end unanimous jury requirement for executions

By ANTHONY IZAGUIRRE and TERRY SPENCER
Associated Press

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida could make it easier for juries to hand down the death penalty. Republicans encouraged by Gov. Ron DeSantis have introduced legislation making it easier to send convicts to death row by eliminating a unanimous jury requirement. The movement began after the Parkland school shooter was spared from execution in a decision last November that shocked victims’ families. The bills would instead allow a person to be sent to death row with a vote of eight out of 12 jurors. The change would make the state one of only a few in the country where a divided jury can lead to a death penalty.