USA - Florida. The Florida Supreme Court vacated the death sentence of Robert Earl Peterson

The Florida Supreme Court vacated the death sentence of Robert Earl Peterson, 53, White, because it was not unanimous. The Court has overturned another sentence based upon its decision in Hurst v. State declaring that death sentences imposed after non-unanimous jury recommendations for death violated the Sixth Amendment and the Florida state constitution. On September 8, 2009 (see) jurors recommended 7-5 the death penalty for Peterson for killing his stepfather Roy Bryan Andrews, 64, in Aug. 2005 because he had decided to cut him off after years of supporting him in the hopes that he would become self-sufficient.