FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 27, 2011

CONTACT: Jennifer Laurent
(850) 488-7088

Rep. Julien Files Capital Felonies Legislation
NORTH MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Today, Representative John Patrick Julien (D-North Miami Beach) refiled his Sentencing in Capitol Felonies bill for the 2012 legislative session. The legislation did not win approval during the 2011 session.

The bill — House Bill 29 — requires that an advisory sentence of death be made by unanimous recommendation of the jury after a defendant’s conviction or adjudication of guilt for a capital felony or capital drug-trafficking felony.

“During the 2011 Legislative session, several bills described by proponents as “pro life” legislation were passed in both chambers and signed into law by the governor. In keeping with that spirit, I am asking my legislative colleagues to support House Bill 29 in 2012.

“A unanimous jury verdict is necessary in order to convict someone of a crime. Therefore, the same rules should apply in order to put an individual to death,” said Representative Julien. “After proper vetting and passage, this bill should reduce the number of appeals to the Florida Supreme Court.”

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