Florida Supreme Court affirms John Sexton's sentence of death
In today’s regular release of opinions, the Florida Supreme Court issued its opinion in Sexton v. State. The Court affirmed John Sexton's sentence of death on resentencing.
In today’s regular release of opinions, the Florida Supreme Court issued its opinion in Sexton v. State. The Court heard oral argument (OA) in this case in March of this year, as TFDP covered here. You can access a video of the OA here.
John Sexton was originally sentenced to death for crimes that occurred in 2010 following the jury’s recommendation for death by a vote of 10-2. After Hurst,1 Sexton was granted a new penalty phase.
At resentencing in 2023, Sexton waived his right to jury. He was resentenced to death in January 2023. This was his direct appeal after resentencing, and Sexton raised eight issues. Justice Couriel authored the opinion, in which the Court determined “each claim fails.” Justice Labarga wrote a specially concurring opinion in which he added to the Court’s analysis of Sexton’s claim that the trial judge erred in denying his motion to disqualify.
The full opinion can be accessed here.