Highlands County jury recommends death penalty for Joseph Ables
Yesterday, following the penalty phase in his trial for 2018 crimes, the jury unanimously recommended that Ables be sentenced to death.
Last week, a Highlands County jury convicted Joseph Ables of murdering a law enforcement officer in 2018.
Yesterday, following the penalty phase, the jury unanimously recommended that Ables be sentenced to death:
Before reaching its final penalty-phase verdict, the jury found unanimously that the State proved all six of the aggravating factors beyond a reasonable doubt.
Under Florida’s 2023 capital sentencing statute, the trial court has the discretion to impose a sentence of LWOP rather than death despite the jury’s recommendation. Further hearings are scheduled for January 10, 2025.