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| Florida Death Penalty Under Scrutiny After High Court Stays Execution |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 02/13/2002 |
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Florida's death penalty could be stalled indefinitely after the U.S. Supreme Court blocked an execution in the state for the second time in two weeks. The court issued a reprieve to Linroy Bottoson, 62, three hours before his scheduled execution for the 1979 murder of an Orlando-area postmaster. The court's decision prompted Gov. Jeb Bush to postpone another man's scheduled execution. The court did not comment on its decision, but it is considering an Arizona case that deals with a fundamental aspect of Florida's capital punishment law: the power of the judge, rather than the jury, to impose the death sentence. Three weeks ago, the court blocked the execution of another inmate convicted of the murder and rape of a 68-year-old Tarpon Springs widow. Florida and Arizona are among nine states that let judges decide whether a murderer should die, even if a jury has recommended a life sentence. If the Supreme Court overturns Arizona's law, that could result in Florida's law being declared unconstitutional. None of the other 370 people on Florida's death row has been scheduled for execution. A Bush spokeswoman said he hasn't decided whether to refrain from signing any new death warrants. |
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