HERNANDEZ v. JONES (2017)

Michael A. HERNANDEZ, Jr., Petitioner, v. Julie L. JONES, etc., Respondent.

No. SC17–440

Decided: May 11, 2017

Curtis M. French, Tallahassee, Florida; and Billy H. Nolas, Chief, Capital Habeas Unit, Office of the Federal Public Defender, Northern District of Florida, Tallahassee, Florida, for Petitioner Pamela Jo Bondi, Attorney General, and Charmaine Millsaps, Senior Assistant Attorney General, Tallahassee, Florida, for Respondent

Petitioner, Michael A. Hernandez, Jr., has filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus, challenging the constitutionality of his death sentence, which was based upon a nonunanimous jury recommendation. See Hernandez v. State, 4 So. 3d 642, 654 (Fla. 2009). We have jurisdiction. See art. V, § 3(b)(9), Fla. Const. Because Hernandez's sentence became final after Ring v. Arizona, 536 U.S. 584 (2002), he is entitled to relief. See Mosley v. State, 209 So. 3d 1248 (Fla. 2016). Accordingly, we grant the petition, vacate the sentence of death, and remand this case for a new penalty phase proceeding.

It is so ordered.

PER CURIAM.

LABARGA, C.J., and PARIENTE, LEWIS, and QUINCE, JJ., concur. CANADY, POLSTON, and LAWSON, JJ., dissent.

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