I’m not strongly committed either for or against the death penalty, and I’d rather that discussion not happen here, but I do want to comment on one issue:

Hunte’s lawyer Michael Hornung said he learned of the decision by prosecutors late Friday.

“They would have had to show it was premeditated,” Hornung said. “I believe that it’s appropriate that they waive the death penalty.”

Why is that? Felony-murder typically requires only the intent to commit a felony, not the intent to commit a murder. I’m almost certain, having read the Florida felony murder statute, that this is the case in that particular jurisdiction.

Anyways, what any of us think about justice, what matters is how the victim’s family takes it, and from the story Sharpstein said it was decided but didn’t give any indication that the family was tore up over the result. I think justice gets done and I think the people of Florida can do right by the Taylor family without death sentences, but, again, that’s a discussion for another day, at another time.

I’d repeat CptChaosSidekick; I think this means a faster trial, and perhaps that is best for all involved.