Overhaul of death penalty signed into law

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Rick Scott is moving ahead with an overhaul of the state’s death penalty law.

Spokeswoman Jackie Schultz says Scott signed the bill on the issue into law Monday.

The legislation requires at least 10 out of 12 jurors recommend execution for it be carried out. Florida previously required that a majority of jurors recommend death sentences.

The measure includes other changes that lawmakers hope will resolve lingering legal questions and open the door to the state’s resuming executions.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Florida’s law unconstitutional in January, saying it allows judges to reach a different decision than juries, which have only an advisory role in recommending death.

The new law prohibits judges from imposing the death penalty if the jury doesn’t recommend it.