TAMPA BAY TIMES

The U.S. Supreme Court struck down Florida’s unique capital sentencing system on Tuesday in a ruling that found the state gives too much power to judges, and not enough to juries, to impose the death penalty.

In an 8-1 opinion, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, writing for the majority, said that the state’s sentencing procedure is unconstitutional because juries play an advisory role in recommending life or death. State law requires judges to make the final decision, after giving “great weight” to jurors’ recommendations.

Justice Samuel Alito was the lone voice of dissent. Continue reading...