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Unveiling Singapore’s Death Penalty Discourse: A Critical Analysis of Public Opinion and Deterrent Claims

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While Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) maintains a firm stance on the effectiveness of the death penalty in managing drug trafficking in Singapore, the article presents evidence suggesting that the methodologies and interpretations of these studies might not be as substantial as portrayed.

Florida: Resentencing trial delayed for Joseph Smith in Carlie Brucia murder

Prosecutors and defense attorneys are awaiting a ruling from the Florida Supreme Court before determining the resentencing for the man convicted in the abduction, rape and murder of 11-year-old Carlie Brucia in Sarasota in 2004.

The resentencing trial for Joseph Smith was set for October, but on Thursday, prosecutors and his defense attorneys requested the date be delayed as the state Supreme Court considers the resentencing issue.

Smith was sentenced to death in 2006 by a 10-2 jury vote, but a 2016 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Hurst v. Florida required all death sentences to be unanimous; the ruling can be applied retroactively to cases dating back to 2002, allowing death row inmates the possibility of resentencing.

Retroactive resentencing is dependent on the ruling Ring v. Arizona (2002) in which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that juries, rather than the judge, must decide on the factor that makes a defendant eligible for the death penalty.

“Now death penalty cases must be unanimous. Before it was simple majority,” said Karen Fraivillig, prosecuting attorney for the case.

Smith appealed his sentence, claiming it is no longer valid.

After an April 24 order, the Florida Supreme Court is accepting briefs with information and arguments about the validity of retroactive resentencing. 

The decision, which Fraivillig said will likely take several months, could impact many death row cases in the state.

This decision could determine if Smith is entitled to a new sentencing.

“Everything is contingent on the Supreme Court decision,” she said.

Fraivillig said the judge agreed to remove the trial from the October docket, but told both attorneys to continue to prepare for the case, awaiting the Florida Supreme Court’s decision.

“We’re saying let’s wait and see,” Fraivillig said.

Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Staff, June 22, 2019


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"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,
but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde

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