Opinion ID: 1931059
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 24

Heading: Apprendi v. New Jersey

Text: Wright's third claim involves the constitutionality of his sentence based on Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 120 S.Ct. 2348, 147 L.Ed.2d 435 (2000). Apprendi holds that, [o]ther than the fact of a prior conviction, any fact that increases the penalty for a crime beyond the prescribed statutory maximum must be submitted to a jury, and proved beyond a reasonable doubt. Id. at 490. [6] The Supreme Court has recently extended the holding in Apprendi, making it applicable to capital cases. See Ring v. Arizona, 536 U.S. 584, 122 S.Ct. 2428, 153 L.Ed.2d 556 (2002). We have subsequently considered the effect of Ring on Florida's capital sentencing scheme in Bottoson v. Moore, 833 So.2d 693 (Fla.), cert denied, 537 U.S. 1070, 123 S.Ct. 662, 154 L.Ed.2d 564 (2002), and King v. Moore, 831 So.2d 143 (Fla.), cert. denied, 537 U.S. 1067, 123 S.Ct. 657, 154 L.Ed.2d 556 (2002). In Bottoson and King, we discussed the application of Ring and Apprendi to Florida's capital sentencing scheme, and rejected the constitutional challenge, as we do here. We also note that Wright was found guilty by the same jury of burglary and sexual battery beyond a reasonable doubt. Therefore, we deny relief on this claim. [7]