DeSantis Backs Death Penalty In Florida Child Sex Case

The Messenger reports:

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Thursday voiced his support for prosecutors in the state’ decision to seek the death penalty for a man indicted for the sexual battery of a child.

He noted it’s the first case to challenge Supreme Court decisions concerning rape since DeSantis signed legislation to “make pedophiles eligible for the death penalty.” The top court has ruled that rape is not a death-penalty crime unless the victim is killed.

The man in the case DeSantis is referring to has been indicted, but not yet found guilty. DeSantis posted the statement hours after the office of State Attorney William Gladson filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty in the the case after a guilty verdict.

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Today, @flsao5 announced that they will seek the death penalty in a case of sexual battery against a child under age 12.

It will be the first case to challenge SCOTUS since I signed legislation to make pedophiles eligible for the death penalty.
@flsao5 has my full support.

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) December 14, 2023