Case Title: Michael A. Hernandez, Jr. v. Julie L. Jones, etc.

Citation: 

Docket Number: SC17-440

State: florida

Court: Florida Supreme Court

Date: 2017-05-11T00:00:00Z

Document:
Supreme Court of Florida 
 
 
____________ 
 
No. SC17-440 
____________ 
 
MICHAEL A. HERNANDEZ, JR.,  
Petitioner, 
 
vs. 
 
JULIE L. JONES, etc.,  
Respondent. 
 
[May 11, 2017] 
 
PER CURIAM. 
 
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. 
 
 
- 2 - 
LABARGA, C.J., and PARIENTE, LEWIS, and QUINCE, JJ., concur. 
CANADY, POLSTON, and LAWSON, JJ., dissent. 
 
NOT FINAL UNTIL TIME EXPIRES TO FILE REHEARING MOTION, AND 
IF FILED, DETERMINED. 
 
Original Proceeding – Habeas Corpus 
 
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