On Thursday, after deliberating for over two hours, the jury returned a recommendation that Ragan be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole (LWOP).
Before Hurst v. Florida in 2016, Florida's capital sentencing scheme allowed jury overrides (the trial court imposing a sentence of death despite a jury's recommendation for death). The current statute does not allow them.
So, does a FL jury's verdict ever get overridden by a sentencing judge if it is unanimous for LWOP?
Before Hurst v. Florida in 2016, Florida's capital sentencing scheme allowed jury overrides (the trial court imposing a sentence of death despite a jury's recommendation for death). The current statute does not allow them.