June 22, 2011
For additional information, please contact the ACLU of Florida Media Office at (786) 363 - 2737 or at media@aclufl.org

Below is a statement from ACLU of Florida Executive Director Howard Simon regarding the ruling of Judge Jose Martinez in the case of Evans vs. McNeil. Judge Martinez’s ruling found that Florida’s policy for imposing the death penalty is unconstitutional.

“Federal Judge Jose Martinez declared that the sentencing structure for Florida death sentences violates U.S. Supreme Court standards.

“This is yet another sign of the systematic injustices that make up Florida’s death penalty system – which is already plagued by wrongful convictions, racial inequities, the highest rate of exonerations and inadequate legal representation.

“As the foundation of Florida’s death penalty system continues to crumble, it becomes harder to justify. It is past time to end state-sponsored executions and replace the unfair, unjust, and unconstitutional death penalty system with mandatory life in prison.”

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2011 Press Releases