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Woman accused in ambush that killed Lake County deputy waives arraignment, pleads not guilty to updated charges
Read full article: Woman accused in ambush that killed Lake County deputy waives arraignment, pleads not guilty to updated chargesThe attorney of a woman accused of luring Lake County deputies into an ambush, killing one and wounding two others, has entered another written plea of not guilty on all charges.
Florida seeks death penalty against woman after ambush attack that killed Lake County deputy
Read full article: Florida seeks death penalty against woman after ambush attack that killed Lake County deputyThe state of Florida intends to seek the death penalty against Julie Sulpizio, the woman accused of luring Lake County deputies into an ambush that killed one deputy and injured two others, according to court records.
Florida says execution over murder in Ocala National Forest shouldn’t be stayed for Parkinson’s symptoms
Read full article: Florida says execution over murder in Ocala National Forest shouldn’t be stayed for Parkinson’s symptomsAttorneys for the state of Florida say the execution of a man with Parkinson’s symptoms should not be delayed.
Convicted felon Markeith Loyd appeals death sentence to US Supreme Court
Read full article: Convicted felon Markeith Loyd appeals death sentence to US Supreme CourtA man sentenced to death for killing an Orlando police officer in 2017 has appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that a prosecutor misled jurors during sentencing proceedings.
Osceola woman accused of 2022 death of her child faces death penalty, prosecutors say
Read full article: Osceola woman accused of 2022 death of her child faces death penalty, prosecutors sayProsecutors plan to seek the death penalty against an Osceola County woman accused of killing her 3-year-old child and trying to kill her husband and 8-year-old child.
State will seek death penalty for accused Ocala mall shooter
Read full article: State will seek death penalty for accused Ocala mall shooterThe Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office intends to seek the death penalty against Albert J. Shell Jr., the man accused of first-degree murder in last year's deadly shooting at the Paddock Mall.
State to seek death penalty for man accused of killing mother of 3, baby in Daytona Beach
Read full article: State to seek death penalty for man accused of killing mother of 3, baby in Daytona BeachR.J. Larizza, state attorney for the Seventh Judicial Circuit, has given notice that the state intends to seek the death penalty against Charles Leon Ivy.
Your Florida Daily: 1st death penalty sought in child rape case, former Jags financial manager pleads guilty to fraud
Read full article: Your Florida Daily: 1st death penalty sought in child rape case, former Jags financial manager pleads guilty to fraudFor the first time in Florida, a state attorney is seeking the death penalty for a man accused of raping a child.
Juror faces contempt charges over mistrial in resentencing of Central Florida killer
Read full article: Juror faces contempt charges over mistrial in resentencing of Central Florida killerA juror accused of causing a mistrial at the resentencing of a convicted Central Florida killer now faces contempt charges, after facing a judge Thursday.
Mistrial declared in resentencing of man convicted of murder in Orange County
Read full article: Mistrial declared in resentencing of man convicted of murder in Orange CountyA mistrial was declared Wednesday in the resentencing of a convicted Central Florida killer who had already once been spared from a death sentence.
Jury selection begins in convicted killer Bessman Okafor’s resentencing
Read full article: Jury selection begins in convicted killer Bessman Okafor’s resentencingConvicted killer Bessman Okafor is once again going before a jury to decide if he should get the death penalty for the 2012 murder of a witness to a home invasion.
Florida appeals court: New death penalty law applies to XBox murders retrial
Read full article: Florida appeals court: New death penalty law applies to XBox murders retrialAs courts across Florida have scrambled this year to figure out how to apply a new death-penalty law, the resentencing of two men convicted in a notorious Volusia County case known as the “Xbox murders” added to the questions.
Orange-Osceola State Attorney Andrew Bain discusses policy changes
Read full article: Orange-Osceola State Attorney Andrew Bain discusses policy changesOrange-Osceola State Attorney Andrew Bain, who Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis installed in the ouster of Monique Worrell, holds a news conference to announce updates and policy changes.
‘I am prepared for execution:’ Here’s how Brevard death row inmate waived his appeals
Read full article: ‘I am prepared for execution:’ Here’s how Brevard death row inmate waived his appealsScheduled to die in Florida's execution chamber, Brevard County convicted double-murderer James Barnes asked to fire his attorneys and dismiss all legal proceedings last month in order to “proceed straight to execution,” a court transcript shows.
Florida Supreme Court to decide how new death penalty law applies to 1997 murder cases
Read full article: Florida Supreme Court to decide how new death penalty law applies to 1997 murder casesAfter Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Legislature this spring eliminated a requirement for unanimous jury recommendations before death sentences can be imposed, the Florida Supreme Court said Tuesday it will decide whether the new law should apply to resentencing proceedings for two men convicted of committing murders in 1997.
What happens next with Xbox murder resentencing depends on the jury, judge says
Read full article: What happens next with Xbox murder resentencing depends on the jury, judge saysA new law regarding jury recommendations and the death penalty can be applied to the resentencing of two men in the 2004 murders of several people at a Deltona home, the Florida appeals court ruled Thursday.
Florida lawmakers approve change to death penalty requirement
Read full article: Florida lawmakers approve change to death penalty requirementThe Florida House gave final approval to a bill that would eliminate a requirement for unanimous jury recommendations before judges can impose death sentences, sending the issue to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Florida lawmakers pursue death penalty in child rapes
Read full article: Florida lawmakers pursue death penalty in child rapesIn a move that likely would spur a constitutional fight, 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 Supreme Court refuses to block execution of man convicted of killing Flagler couple in 1989
Read full article: Florida Supreme Court refuses to block execution of man convicted of killing Flagler couple in 1989The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday rejected arguments aimed at sparing the life of death row inmate Louis Gaskin, setting the stage for his execution next week in the 1989 murders of a Flagler County couple.
Gov. Ron DeSantis signs death warrant for Flagler County convicted murderer
Read full article: Gov. Ron DeSantis signs death warrant for Flagler County convicted murdererCourt records show that the man — 56-year-old Louis B. Gaskin — was found guilty of first-degree murder in 1990 after murdering a husband and wife in Flagler County the year prior.
Execution delayed for death row inmate who cut out his eyes
Read full article: Execution delayed for death row inmate who cut out his eyesNext month’s scheduled execution of a Texas death row inmate whose attorneys say gouged out both of his eyes because of severe mental illness was delayed by a judge.
Death penalty protestors gather outside Orange County Courthouse ahead of man’s execution
Read full article: Death penalty protestors gather outside Orange County Courthouse ahead of man’s executionActivists pushing to change Florida’s death penalty law gathered in front of the Orange County Courthouse Wednesday ahead of the first execution in the state since 2019.
Unanimous jury recommendations targeted in Florida death cases
Read full article: Unanimous jury recommendations targeted in Florida death casesWith backing from Gov. Ron DeSantis, Florida lawmakers could scrap a requirement that unanimous jury recommendations are needed before death sentences can be imposed.
Transgender Missouri inmate executed for fatal stabbing
Read full article: Transgender Missouri inmate executed for fatal stabbingA Missouri inmate has been put to death for a 2003 killing, becoming what is believed to be the first transgender woman executed in the U.S. Amber McLaughlin was put to death Tuesday night, hours after Republican Gov. Mike Parson declined a clemency request.
‘Just more excuses:’ Orange County sheriff reacts to note from Markeith Loyd
Read full article: ‘Just more excuses:’ Orange County sheriff reacts to note from Markeith LoydConvicted cop killer Markeith Loyd gave a letter to Orange County Sheriff John Mina claiming he “never wanted to kill” Orlando police Lt. Debra Clayton.
‘It’s time for Markeith Loyd to suffer:’ Orlando leaders, Lt. Debra Clayton’s family react to cop killer’s death sentence
Read full article: ‘It’s time for Markeith Loyd to suffer:’ Orlando leaders, Lt. Debra Clayton’s family react to cop killer’s death sentenceConvicted killer Markeith Loyd has been sentenced to death and the family of Lt. Debra Clayton and Orlando leaders are sharing their approval of the judge's ruling.
UPDATE: Man who killed 3 women in Daytona Beach sentenced to life in prison without parole
Read full article: UPDATE: Man who killed 3 women in Daytona Beach sentenced to life in prison without paroleThe man who killed three women in Daytona Beach was sentenced to life in prison without parole on Wednesday night.
Closing arguments end in trial for accused Daytona Beach serial killer; jury deliberations begin Tuesday
Read full article: Closing arguments end in trial for accused Daytona Beach serial killer; jury deliberations begin TuesdayClosing arguments are set to get underway in the trial of a man accused of killing three women in Daytona Beach.
EXPLAINER: The death penalty in Florida
Read full article: EXPLAINER: The death penalty in FloridaMarkeith Loyd on Wednesday became the latest person to be handed a death penalty recommendation by a jury in Florida, stemming from his guilty verdict in the 2017 murder of Orlando police Lieutenant Debra Clayton.
Prosecution rests its case in Markeith Loyd trial; closing arguments to begin Tuesday
Read full article: Prosecution rests its case in Markeith Loyd trial; closing arguments to begin TuesdayAttorneys in the penalty phase of Markeith Loyd’s second murder trial said the decision on whether or not Loyd will be sentenced to death could be in the jury’s hands as early as Tuesday.
Markeith Loyd’s mother testifies during penalty phase of his murder trial
Read full article: Markeith Loyd’s mother testifies during penalty phase of his murder trialThe penalty phase of Markeith Loyd’s second murder trial resumed Friday as the judge and jury work to determine a punishment for Loyd following his guilty verdict in the 2017 killing of Orlando police Lt. Debra Clayton.
Markeith Loyd’s family, friends take the stand to argue against death penalty
Read full article: Markeith Loyd’s family, friends take the stand to argue against death penaltyThe penalty phase of Markeith Loyd’s second murder trial continued Wednesday, following how prosecutors rested their case Tuesday and Loyd’s defense team moved for judgment of acquittal.
Texas inmate faces execution for fatally stabbing 2 brothers during home robbery
Read full article: Texas inmate faces execution for fatally stabbing 2 brothers during home robberyA Texas inmate has been executed for fatally stabbing two Houston-area brothers during a robbery in their home more than 30 years ago.
Man who killed 2 Kissimmee police officers looks to avoid death penalty
Read full article: Man who killed 2 Kissimmee police officers looks to avoid death penaltyA man convicted of killing two Kissimmee police officers was in court Monday as his lawyers are expected to ask a judge to not consider the death penalty in his sentencing.
State seeks death penalty against West Melbourne couple charged in 3-year-old’s death
Read full article: State seeks death penalty against West Melbourne couple charged in 3-year-old’s deathThe state attorney's office for Brevard and Seminole Counties filed a motion of intent to seek the death penalty against a mother and her boyfriend after investigators accused the pair with a 3-year-old boy's death.
State seeks death penalty against man accused of shooting Officer Jason Raynor
Read full article: State seeks death penalty against man accused of shooting Officer Jason RaynorThe man accused of shooting a Daytona Beach police officer in June will appear before a judge Wednesday on an upgraded murder charge following the officer’s death weeks after being shot in the line of duty.
Prosecutors decline pursuing death penalty again for man who killed Brevard deputy
Read full article: Prosecutors decline pursuing death penalty again for man who killed Brevard deputyThe state attorney for Brevard and Seminole counties announced on Wednesday that he would not seek to relitigate the sentencing of a man who killed a Brevard County deputy in 2012.
Prosecutors will not seek death penalty against dad accused of killing family at home in Celebration
Read full article: Prosecutors will not seek death penalty against dad accused of killing family at home in CelebrationORLANDO, Fla. – Orange-Osceola State Attorney Aramis Ayala will not seek the death penalty against Anthony Todt, who stands accused of killing his wife and three children at a home in Celebration last year. Ayala, who has made headlines in the past due to her stance on the death penalty, filed a notice of intent to not seek the death penalty in the case of Todt and several other high-profile cases. News 6 has reached out to Ayala, who did not seek re-election, for comment but has not heard back. He made similar claims in the two phone calls to his sister in March and April, suggesting that Megan Todt had tried to kill the children before. Todt told his sister in a phone call from jail that he couldn’t have stopped his family from being slain — because he wasn’t around.
Florida seeks death penalty for man accused of using hammer, knife to kill boys
Read full article: Florida seeks death penalty for man accused of using hammer, knife to kill boysMELROSE, Fla. – Prosecutors have decided to seek the death penalty in the case of a 30-year-old Florida man accused of killing two teenage brothers in their home over the summer. Officials filed a request notifying the court that they plan to pursue the death penalty against Mark Wilson Jr. after a grand jury indicted him Oct. 20 on two counts of first-degree murder, the Gainesville Sun reported. Wilson is accused of using a hammer and knife to kill 14-year-old Tayten Baker and 12-year-old Robert Baker in their home in August. State Attorney R.J. Larizza said his office consulted with the boys’ family prior to making the decision to seek death for Wilson, the newspaper reported. Wilson was the boyfriend of the boy’s aunt, and the family had allowed them to live in a shed in their backyard, officials said.
Florida Supreme Court to hear arguments in Bessman Okafor case
Read full article: Florida Supreme Court to hear arguments in Bessman Okafor caseORLANDO, Fla. The state Supreme Court is expected to hear oral arguments Tuesday surrounding the case against convicted killer Bessman Okafor. The state of Florida is seeking to have the death penalty reinstated against Okafor, who was sentenced to death row in 2015 for the murder of Alex Zaldivar. Okafors case was sent back for re-sentencing after a change in the law required a unanimous jury decision. However, the state Supreme Court reversed its own ruling and said an unanimous decision was not necessary for someone to be sentenced to death. Prosecutors asked a lower court earlier this year to reinstate Okafors death sentence but was denied.