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Thread: Florida Capital Punishment News

  1. #451
    Administrator Helen's Avatar
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    Florida law allowing death penalty in child rapes to take effect

    The new law will likely draw legal challenges, as U.S. Supreme Court and Florida Supreme Court precedents have barred death sentences for rapists

    By News Service of Florida

    TALLAHASSEE — A new law that could lead to imposing the death penalty on people who rape children under age 12 will take effect Sunday, along with other laws passed during the 2023 legislative session.

    Other measures taking effect could lead to putting local governments on the hook for attorney fees when ordinances are deemed “arbitrary or unreasonable;” increase penalties on fans who interfere with sporting events; and require teens to at least have learner’s permits to drive golf carts on public roads.

    The laws passed during the legislative session that ended May 5. Most legislation, including a record $117 billion state budget, went into effect on July 1, the start of the fiscal year.

    The most controversial of the laws taking effect Sunday would allow the death penalty for people who commit sexual batteries on children under age 12. The measure (HB 1297) likely will draw legal challenges, as U.S. Supreme Court and Florida Supreme Court precedents have barred death sentences for rapists.

    During a May 1 bill-signing event in Brevard County, Gov. Ron DeSantis said the measure is “for the protection of children.”

    “Unfortunately, in our society, we have very heinous sex crimes that are committed against children under the age of 12 years old,” DeSantis said. “These are really the worst of the worst. The perpetrators of these crimes are often serial offenders.”

    Judges would have the discretion to impose the death penalty or sentence defendants to life in prison. If fewer than eight jurors recommend death, judges would have to impose life sentences.

    The bill would affect what is known as the sentencing phase of cases. Juries would still need to unanimously find defendants guilty of the crimes before the sentencing phase would begin.

    The measure was approved 34-5 in the Senate and 95-14 in the House.

    https://www.tampabay.com/news/crime/...rape-desantis/
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  2. #452
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    Death Penalty for Child Rape goes into effect in Florida

    By Ashley Harding
    news4jax.com

    JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A number of new laws are now in effect, as of today. Arguably the most controversial centers around changes to Florida’s Death Penalty. Child rapists can now face execution for their crimes.

    The law specifically pertains to child victims under the age of 12. Higher courts have already said imposing death sentences in these types of cases is a violation of the 8th Amendment. While some say the law is still a measure of protecting children, others say different.

    Florida courts now have a green light to send child rapists to death row. It was a measure that received bipartisan support as it rose through Tallahassee.

    Upon signing it into law, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said: “These are really the worst of the worst. The perpetrators of these crimes are often serial offenders.”

    Maria DeLiberato is the executive director of Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. She does not disagree.

    “Of course, Child sexual battery is one of the most horrific crimes that one can think of,” said Mario DeLiberato, Executive Director, Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty.

    DeLiberato, an attorney herself, explains even though the law is now technically in effect in Florida, the Supreme Court would first have to reverse its initial ruling for it to apply to a particular case.

    “The legislature, to their credit, acknowledged that when they passed it right, they said, ‘we know this isn’t the law, we just hope the law will get change,’ said DeLiberato.

    DeLiberato says the trauma doesn’t end there for the victim.

    “You’re also dealing with a living victim who would have to be a part of the inevitable decades-long death penalty process. A death penalty case is not quick. It doesn’t go away quickly. It languishes for years and years and years,” said DeLiberato.

    DeLiberato also points to alarming statistics. According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway.

    About 90 percent of child sex abuse victims know their abuser and about 30 percent of children are abused by family members.

    “So now, you’ve got this whole dynamic where a child is going to bear the weight of a possible death sentence to a neighbor, an uncle, grandfather, something that someone that they know that everybody in their family is not going to feel the exact same way about,” said DeLiberato.

    This new law would still require an 8 to 4 jury recommendation for a death sentence.

    https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/...ct-in-florida/
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  3. #453
    Senior Member CnCP Legend Mastro Titta's Avatar
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    First capital sex crimes charges filed.

    ‘Pure evil’: Manatee County couple arrested for child sex abuse on 3 children, more potential victims

    By Sara Filips
    WFLA

    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — A Bradenton couple was arrested for transmitting child sexual abuse materials over Facebook.

    On Thursday, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office arrested Sierra Campany, 24, and Nicholas Bassler Jr., 24.

    “What you’re looking at here is pure evil,” Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells said in a press conference on Wednesday.

    The department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit received a tip back on June 5 from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about the crime.

    Detectives said Facebook flagged the couple’s material which then contacted the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The crimes were pinpointed to Bradenton, and directed to the sheriff’s office.

    Manatee County detectives investigated the matter and issued a search warrant on Sept. 13 to the couple’s home. They discovered a child living in the home, along with drugs present. Campany tested positive for PCP while nine months pregnant.

    They additionally seized several devices where exploitation images and videos showed the couple performing sex acts on children. The three victims were 10 months old, three years old, and 10 years old.

    On Sept. 14, Campany was arrested for capital sexual battery. Detectives discovered she sexually battered a three-year-old and a 10-month-old.

    On Sept. 15, Bassler Jr. was also arrested for capital sexual battery for sexually battering a 10-month-old child and a 10-year-old child.

    Detectives believe these crimes could have been happening for upwards of six months.

    Lieutenant Mark Moire said that Bassler Jr. groomed Campany to push sexual assaults on the children further.

    The couple knew the victims and had personal relationships with them. Lieutenant Moire mentioned the couple may have been babysitting the kids, but did not confirm the nature of the relationship.

    The couple both face additional charges for possession, transmission, and production of child pornography. Detectives say more charges are possible. They mentioned that Bassler Jr. had a previous 2018 arrest for lewd and lascivious crimes.

    In the press conference, Sheriff Wells said the suspects traveled to New York and one of the victims traveled with them. They believe there could be more victims there.

    “This case absolutely sickens me,” Sheriff Wells added.

    Detectives believe there could be more victims. Anyone who thinks a child has been in contact with Campany or Bassler Jr. is asked to call the department at 941-747-3011, ext. 2522.

    The investigation is ongoing.

    https://www.wfla.com/news/local-news...ntial-victims/

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