Florida Supreme Court: Death Penalty Cases Finalized Before 2002 Will Stand

WLRN Public Media | By Michael Auslen

Published December 22, 2016 at 1:15 PM EST

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The 6-1 ruling in a death sentence appeal says that Death Row inmates are not entitled to a re-sentencing unless their case was finalized after a 2002 ruling.

Some of the nearly 400 prisoners waiting on Florida’s Death Row will not be allowed a re-sentencing under new death penalty laws, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday.

The 6-1 ruling in a death sentence appeal by Mark James Asay says that Death Row inmates are not entitled to a re-sentencing unless their case was finalized after the 2002 ruling in Ring vs. Arizona, which required juries to find aggravating factors to impose the death penalty.

The court also lifted a stay on Asay’s execution, previously scheduled for March of this year. It appears executions could commence soon.

You can read more about the story at our partner, the Miami Herald.