Opinion ID: 2544415
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Ring Arguments

Text: Hodges filed pretrial motions to bar imposition of the death sentence on the basis that Florida's capital sentencing scheme is unconstitutional under Ring. Hodges now contends that because this Court has wrongly interpreted the impact of Ring on Florida's death sentencing scheme, the trial court erred in denying his motions. Hodges asserts that this Court has erred in concluding that Ring is not implicated where one of the aggravating circumstances found by the trial court is that the defendant has been previously convicted of a prior violent felony. Hodges also asserts that this Court has erred by concluding that Florida may allow nonunanimous jury sentencing recommendations. Hodges' arguments are without merit. This Court has repeatedly held that Ring does not apply to cases where the prior violent felony, the prior capital felony, or the under-sentence-of-imprisonment aggravating factor is applicable. See, e.g., Victorino v. State, 23 So.3d 87, 107-08 (Fla.2009). Hodges offers no argument in opposition to this holding that has not been previously considered by this Court. Thus, he offers no persuasive reason to depart from precedent. Similarly, Hodges offers no reason for this Court to recede from its holding, see, e.g., Frances v. State, 970 So.2d 806, 822 (Fla.2007), that Florida's capital sentencing scheme need not require unanimous sentencing recommendations. Given that the aggravating factors of prior violent felony and under a sentence of imprisonment indisputably apply in the instant caseHodges was convicted of robbery and aggravated assault prior to sentencing in this case and was on parole at the time of the Belanger's murderHodges is not entitled to relief on the basis of Ring.