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Florida Supreme Court rules death sentences no longer need unanimous jury votes

The ruling said the court “got it wrong” in 2016 when it required unanimous jury recommendations for death sentences.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida Supreme Court made a major decision Thursday about death sentences.

The court ruled that juries do not have to vote unanimously for a death sentence to be imposed. The ruling said the court “got it wrong” in 2016 when it required unanimous jury recommendations for death sentences.

The ruling came from a Polk County case where a death sentence was tossed out. Mark Anthony Poole was convicted of first-degree murder and attempted murder, attempted murder, armed burglary and armed robbery.

According to the Sun-Sentinel, a jury recommended Poole be sentenced to death in 2011 by a vote of 11-1. However, the death sentence was vacated because of the Supreme Court’s 2016 ruling that a unanimous jury was needed to impose the death penalty.

You can read more about the Florida Supreme Court's decision here.

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