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The US Supreme Court ruled last month that Florida juries needed a bigger role in deciding life or death. A legislative compromise has already cleared the State House, but as Mike Vasilinda tells us, that compromise ran into a temporary snag today.

Compromise legislation calls for the jury to vote unanimously twice. Once on guilt, a second time on whether the crime was so bad it warrants death.

“You are hereby committees to the Department of Corrections” said in sentencing Gary Michael Hilton to Death.

After that a third vote with at least a ten two majority is needed to recommend death. Criminal Justice Chair Sen. Greg Evers helped work out the deal.

“There was an agreement between the House and  Senate that we would do a ten-two in lieu of a nine three or unanimity.”

Prosecutors agreed to the 10 – 2 standard.

But Public defenders argue that requiring a unanimous jury  is the only way to make sure the courts don’t step in again. Rex Dimmig was representing the  FL Public Defender’s Assn.

“Require unanimity. Follow the words of the Florida Constitution” Dimmig told the committee.

Then after an informal vote count.

“we’re going to show this bill temporarily postponed.”

The halt concerned victims families. Blake  and Nancy Williams came to tell their daughter Mia’s story.

“She was driven to a secluded place in the woods and her car was set on fire. She was in the trunk and she perished in that fire” said her Father.

Florida has been without a death penalty since the court ruling on January 12th. It wills that way until lawmakers act and the Governor agrees.

The Williams tell us not having a death penalty isn’t an option.

“We’re doing everything in our power to bring justice. Not just for her, but for all victims of horrendous crimes such as we;ve gone through” said mom Nancy.

The bill was brought back up later in the day and approved, but another fight over a unanimous jury is expected.

The Williams never did get to tell lawmakers the story of their daughters death. Her killer got a 9-3 death recommendation. Alabama and Delaware are the only death penalty states that don’t require unanimous verdicts.