Page 4 - Florida Sentinel 3-8-16 Edition

Features
Death Penalty Legislation Awaits Signature Of Governor
Traffic Signal On Busy Highway To Become Operational
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Both the Florida House and the Florida Senate have reached an agreement on new legislation pertaining to the death penalty. Now, the bill awaits the signature of Governor Rick Scott.
In January 2016, the United States Supreme Court ruled that Florida’s death penalty is unconstitu- tional because it violates the guaranteed right of trial by jury. The decision has prose- cutors throughout Florida in limbo, waiting on the state lawmakers to pass legisla- tion on the law.
In the case of Hurst v. Florida, the U. S. Supreme Court found Florida’s capital sentencing scheme was in vi- olation of the 6th Amend- ment, which guarantees the right to trial by jury. The vote was 8-1.
This ruling resulted in the Florida Legislature revis- iting the death penalty and providing new legislation that met the criteria of the U.
S. Supreme Court.
In February, the Florida
House of Representatives passed bill HB 7101 that would require the jury in a capital case to find at least one aggravating circum- stance unanimously for the case to be eligible for the death penalty. The bill also requires that at least 10 of the 12 jurors vote to sentence the defendant to death. The bill passed by a 93-20 vote.
Last week, in a vote of 35- 5, SB 7068, was passed by the full Senate. The bill com- promise with HB 7101.
The new bill, if signed by Governor Scott, would re- quire that at least 10 of a 12- member jury propose the death penalty before it can be imposed.
In the past, the jury rec- ommended the death penalty be imposed if the majority was in favor of it. However, the final decision rests with the judge.
Under the new proposed law, a super majority (10) of the jurors must vote for the death penalty.
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
A long awaited traffic sig- nal on a busy East Tampa thoroughfare is slated to be- come operational. The testing will begin to alert motorists to the traffic signal this week. The traffic signal will be lo- cated between N. 22nd Street and N. 30th Street on E. Hills- borough Avenue.
Vik Bhide, Chief Traffic Maintenance Engineer said, “This is an actual traffic sig- nal that will improve safety for pedestrians in the area. There will be a cross walk on both sides of it. We will be testing it this week and ex- pect it to become fully opera- tional by March 14th.”
Bhide further stated that the traffic signal is not to be confused with pedestrian crossing lights on East Hills- borough Avenue at 11th Street, 37th Street, and 46th Street. Those lights stop traffic for pedestrians to cross. This will be a regular signal light that controls the flow of traffic.
FRANK REDDICK
... City Council Chairman
City Council Chairman Frank Reddick said, “I’m thankful to the Department of Transportation and the City of Tampa for making it safer for people to cross the street for taking the safety of the residents of the Meridian Apartment Complex and shoppers at the East Gate Shopping Center into consid- eration.
“With this measure in place, it will prevent other deaths of pedestrians at- tempting to cross East Hills- borough Avenue at that location.”
Three Middleton High
School students have been hit by cars attempting to cross the street between the rail- road tracks and N. 22nd Street in the past five years. Two of them died.
In October 5, 2011, Shenika Davis, 15, was struck and killed as she at- tempted to cross E. Hillsbor- ough Avenue, en route to Middleton High School. She died at the scene.
In March 18, 2014, sisters
Norma Velasquez-Cabr- era, 15, and Victoria Ve- lasquez-Cabrera, 14, were walking to Middleton High School when they were struck by a car as they attempted to cross the busy street.
Norma Velasquez- Cabrera died as a result of her injuries. Her sister was also admitted to a local hos- pital, but recovered from her injuries.
The Department of Trans- portation paid $306,000 for the construction of the traffic signal. The City of Tampa paid the $44,000 for the de- sign of the traffic signal.
City Council Approves Proposed Marijuana Ordinance
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
On Thursday, members of the Tampa City Council voted 6-1 to approve a proposed or- dinance to change the penalty for possession of marijuana. The vote was 6-1, with Coun- cilman Charlie Miranda casting the lone vote against the proposal.
The vote followed several speakers from the commu- nity as well as a lengthy dis- cussion among Council members. There will be a sec- ond reading of the ordinance on March 17th and a semi-an- nual report to Council mem- bers on October 6th.
The purpose of the pro- posed ordinance is to decrim- inalize possession of marijuana. Instead of it being an arrestable offense, the person would receive a cita- tion.
If the proposal becomes law, the first time a person is caught in possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana, he or she would pay a $75 fine. The fine would increase to $150 the second time, $300 for the third time, and $450 the fourth time. The
MARIJUANA LEAF
same fines would also apply for possession of drug para- phernalia.
If the proposed ordinance survives a second reading, it would become law if Mayor Bob Buckhorn signs it into law.
Under current law, pos- session of less than 20 grams of marijuana is a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to a $1,000 fine, proba- tion, or up to a year in prison. Those convicted of misde- meanor possession of mari- juana could also lose driving privileges for up to a year.
Also on last Thursday, a bill that would allow the ex- pansion of medical mari- juana to terminal conditions passed the House 99-16. The
CHARLIE MIRANDA
... Voted against proposed marijuana ordinance
bill, submitted by Rep. Matt Gaetz expands the Right to Try act that allows terminally ill patients to use marijuana. However, the patients cannot sm0ke the drug.
In November 2014, Florida voters rejected a Con- stitutional amendment that would have allowed doctors to prescribe marijuana for chronic illnesses.
If the ordinance passes the second reading at City Council and is signed into law by Mayor Buckhorn, it will only be affective in the City of Tampa boundaries. Which means that those caught with marijuana in Temple Terrace, Plant City, and other areas of Hillsborough County would still be arrested and charged.
PAGE 4 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2016