TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Florida's Supreme Court has heard arguments in a case where they will decide whether a death row inmate's sentence should be reduced to life, a ruling that could have implications for nearly 400 condemned prisoners in the state.
David Davis, the attorney for inmate Timothy Lee Hurst, on Thursday argued that his client's sentence should be reduced to life following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that found Florida's system for sentencing people to death was unconstitutional.
The nation's high court said Florida's system gave too much power to judges, not juries, in imposing capital punishment.
Florida Assistant Attorney General Carine Mitz argued that Hurst should not receive a life sentence. She said if Hurst's death sentence is tossed out by the court he should undergo a new penalty phase.
