Case Name: James Bernard BELCHER, Petitioner, v. Julie L. JONES, etc., Respondent
Court: Florida Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Florida
Decision Date: 2017-11-02
Citations: 228 So. 3d 530
Docket Number: No. SC17-1144
Parties: James Bernard BELCHER, Petitioner, v. Julie L. JONES, etc., Respondent.
Judges: LABARGA, C.J., and PARIENTE, LEWIS, and QUINCE, JJ„ concur.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Third Series
Volume: 228
Pages: 530–531

Head Matter:
James Bernard BELCHER, Petitioner, v. Julie L. JONES, etc., Respondent.
No. SC17-1144
Supreme Court of Florida.
[November 2, 2017]
Christopher J. Anderson of Law Office of Christopher J. Anderson, Neptune Beach, Florida; and Billy H. Nolas, Chief, Cápital Habeas Unit, Office of the Federal Public Defender, Northern District of Florida, Tallahassee, Florida, for Petitioner
Pamela Jo Bondi, Attorney General, and Charmaine M. Millsaps, Senior Assistant Attorney General, Tallahassee, Florida, for Respondent

Opinion:
PER CURIAM.
Petitioner James Bernard Belcher 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 Belcher v. State, 851 So.2d 678 (Fla. 2003). We have jurisdiction. See art. V, § 3(b)(9), Fla. Const. Because Belcher's sentence became final after Ring v. Arizona, 536 U.S. 584, 122 S.Ct. 2428, 153 L.Ed.2d 556 (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.
LABARGA, C.J., and PARIENTE, LEWIS, and QUINCE, JJ" concur.
LAWSON, J., concurs specially with an opinion.,
CANADY and POLSTON, JJ., dissent.