News - October 2015 RSS Feed

TALLAHASSEE, FL – The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops urges Governor Scott to commute the sentence of Jerry Correll, scheduled for execution on Thursday, October 29, 2015 at 6:00 p.m., to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Mr. Correll is scheduled to be the 22nd person executed during Governor Scott’s tenure, the most to take place under the watch of any one Florida governor since the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976.

On October 13, the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) heard oral arguments in Hurst v. Florida regarding Florida's capital sentencing practices. SCOTUS will consider whether Florida violates their 2002 decision in Ring v. Arizona which found that a jury, and not a judge, must find that a defendant qualifies for the death penalty. After Ring, every state, except Florida, amended their statutes to require a unanimous finding of aggravating circumstances.

During committee meetings leading up to the January 12 start of the 2016 Florida Legislative Session, HB 43 by Rep. Plakon (R-Longwood) was passed by the Civil Justice Subcommittee (9-4). The bill provides that churches or religious organizations, or individuals employed by these entities, including clergy, may not be required to solemnize any marriage or provide services, facilities or goods for related purposes if such action would violate sincerely held religious beliefs. The bill protects these entities and individuals from certain legal actions, penalties, or government sanctions.