SCOTUS Overturns Florida Judge Imposed Death Penalty.

     In a stunning 8-1 ruling, the U,S. Supreme Court has ruled against the way the death penalty is administered in Florida, which allows a judge to reject a jury's recommendation and sentence a prisoner to death or vis versa. Three other states, including Alabama, follow the same rule.      
     Today's decision does not necessarily mean the other states will change their death penalty statutes, but gives defense lawyers in those states potent ammunition to appeal their clients death penalties.