Updates from Broward County

Alex Pagan was resentenced to life in prison, and a Broward County judge ruled that the new 8-4 statute will apply in YNW Melly’s trial this month for crimes from 2019.

Two updates from Broward County this week: (1) Alex Pagan was resentenced to life in prison, and (2) a Broward County judge ruled that the new 8-4 statute will apply in YNW Melly’s trial this month for crimes from 2019.

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Alex Pagan resentenced to life in prison

Alex Pagan was given two sentences of death for crimes that occurred in 1993 after a Broward County jury recommended sentences of death by a vote of 7-5. On direct appeal, in 2002, the Florida Supreme Court affirmed Pagan’s convictions and sentences of death. His sentences of death became final in 2003 when the U.S. Supreme Court denied his petition for certiorari seeking review of the Florida Supreme Court’s decision on direct appeal.

In June 2004, Pagan filed a postconviction motion raising 21 claims. The trial court held a three-day evidentiary hearing in February 2005 and ultimately denied relief. Pagan appealed to the Florida Supreme Court and filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus. In a decision dated October 1, 2009, the Florida Supreme Court affirmed the trial court’s denial and denied Pagan’s petition.

In 2018, after Hurst v. Florida,¹ the Florida Supreme Court vacated Pagan’s death sentences and remanded for a new penalty phase.

This week, after the State agreed to drop the death penalty, Pagan was resentenced to life on both counts of first-degree murder.

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Broward County judge grants State’s Motion to apply 8-4 in YNW Melly’s case

Rapper YNW Melly is scheduled to go to trial later this month for two murders that occurred in 2019. (The rapper’s given name is Jamell Maurice Demons.)

According to the Miami Herald, Broward County Judge John Murphy ruled Friday that the new 8-4 capital sentencing statute will apply in the trial. The docket does not yet reflect this ruling.

Another Broward County judge also held that the 8-4 statute applies in Clarck Paul’s case, as Tracking Florida’s Death Penalty covered here.

1. More details on Hurst are available in the Tracking Florida’s Death Penalty five-part series explaining Hurst, which is available here.