Thanks for the background. Frankly I agree with the unanimous requirement today. Reason is that puts lets say in this case 3 jurors not wanting death in the position of imposing death. If I were one of those 3 I would have a hard time sleeping. I think what is a bit troubling about this result is clearly there was not much time taken to try to bring the LWOP people along...I think that has to do with some issues and maybe even threats in the jury room....foreperson just wanted to get it done as I imagine things escalated. With jurors wanting to speak with judge and filing motions etc. all was definitely not the norm in this jury room.It wasn't long ago that Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz would have been looking at a near-certain death sentence for murdering 17 people in Parkland, even if his jury could not unanimously agree on his fate.![]()
Parkland Shooter's Life Sentence Could Bring Changes to Florida Law
The life sentence about to be imposed on Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz could bring changes to the state’s death penalty law. Until recently, Florida law allowed the imposition of a death sentence if a majority of the jury agreed. But after the U.S. and state supreme courts rejected those...www.nbcmiami.com
Until 2016, Florida law allowed trial judges to impose a death sentence if a majority of the jurors agreed. With a 9-3 vote Thursday supporting Cruz's execution, Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer would have likely sent him to Death Row for the 2018 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High.
Now, however, a vote of anything less than 12-0 means an automatic sentence of life without parole — a standard the Stoneman Douglas families and the head of the state's prosecutors association want changed. That would again put Florida in a distinct minority among the 27 states that still have the death penalty where almost all require juror unanimity.
Ed Brodsky, president of the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association, believes the Legislature will next year consider changing the law it passed after a pair of court decisions rejected the old law...
That is precisely what happens in the classic (1957) film 12 Angry Men. All but one juror favor the DP when they first start their deliberations. The lone hold out doesn't indicate that he would not vote for death but wants to take time to discuss the case before rendering their verdict. As the jury discusses the case in great detail, one by one they change their votes to life in prison. It is a poignant and riveting film that I have watched dozens of times. Definitely worthwhile viewing.Thanks for the background. Frankly I agree with the unanimous requirement today. Reason is that puts lets say in this case 3 jurors not wanting death in the position of imposing death. If I were one of those 3 I would have a hard time sleeping. I think what is a bit troubling about this result is clearly there was not much time taken to try to bring the LWOP people along...I think that has to do with some issues and maybe even threats in the jury room....foreperson just wanted to get it done as I imagine things escalated. With jurors wanting to speak with judge and filing motions etc. all was definitely not the norm in this jury room.
Brutal and so disturbing. I will read it later. Thank you.
Thanks for your reference to this movie that I had never seen. Took some time to watch..wow what a cast and acting and really very on point here. But in that movie the way I heard it was it was between guilty which was automatically DP or not guilty. The reasonable doubt prevailed and as I understood it that boy walked free. This case was different with Cruz confessing to the crime. Maybe I got that wrong?That is precisely what happens in the classic (1957) film 12 Angry Men. All but one juror favor the DP when they first start their deliberations. The lone hold out doesn't indicate that he would not vote for death but wants to take time to discuss the case before rendering their verdict. As the jury discusses the case in great detail, one by one they change their votes to life in prison. It is a poignant and riveting film that I have watched dozens of times. Definitely worthwhile viewing.
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I referenced 12 Angry Men because someone had commented on how the Cruz jurors did not try to convince the lone holdout to join others who wanted the DP. The 1957 film also shows us how tense the jury room can become when there are 12 people with their own life experiences who might not appreciate or understand how others have divergent opinions. I did not mean to imply that the cases or the outcomes were similar.Thanks for your reference to this movie that I had never seen. Took some time to watch..wow what a cast and acting and really very on point here. But in that movie the way I heard it was it was between guilty which was automatically DP or not guilty. The reasonable doubt prevailed and as I understood it that boy walked free. This case was different with Cruz confessing to the crime. Maybe I got that wrong?
I referenced 12 Angry Men because someone had commented on how the Cruz jurors did not try to convince the lone holdout to join others who wanted the DP. The 1957 film also shows us how tense the jury room can become when there are 12 people with their own life experiences who might not appreciate or understand how others have divergent opinions. I did not mean to imply that the cases or the outcomes were similar.
Some years ago, I saw a high school performance of 12 Angry Women - an updated version of the original drama with an all-female cast. I've often wondered why Hollywood has not produced a new film with 12 very talented actresses. JMO
Bold move to put her name/face out there. Even the Gov has condemned the jury’s decision, which is in extremely poor taste IMO. But Vanoy is right! This whole issue of active shooters is a societal problem. Putting NC to death won’t solve a thing! And she’s also right that she’s not supposed to give DP to please the families! That’s not the law.![]()
Parkland school shooter juror: We didn't let down the families. Florida law did
Melody Vanoy said she was one of three jurors who voted to give the Parkland shooter life in prison. She said she felt the law gave her no other choice.www.wxii12.com