Paul Renner pledges to speed up pace of executions

Former House Speaker Paul Renner believes that people are spending too much time on death row, and promises to expedite capital punishment if he’s elected Governor.

“Florida’s death penalty system is broken. Violent murderers exploit endless, frivolous appeals, stretching cases out for decades while victims’ families wait — often until they die before seeing justice served,” Renner said in a statement.

“Today, death penalty cases average nearly 30 years from sentence to execution. One recent case in Florida involved the rape and murder of a six-year-old child, and execution was delayed more than 40 years. That is a mockery of the rule of law.”

Promising to complete executions three years after sentencing, Renner lauds Gov. Ron DeSantis for working to speed up the pace of capital punishment, but says more can be done, even after DeSantis ordered 19 people to be put to death last year.

“Florida voters demanded action by passing a constitutional amendment requiring death penalty appeals to be resolved within five years. That mandate is being ignored by the courts,” Renner said.

A former Judge backs Renner’s proposal.

“Before serving on the Florida First District Court of Appeal, I met with families urging the Legislature and Governor to stop judicial delays — unfortunately, they have only grown,” said retired 1st District Court of Appeal Judge Bradford L. Thomas.

“Florida voters passed Marsy’s Law to guarantee victims’ families a ‘prompt and final conclusion’ (Art. I, §16, Fla. Const.). The delays must end. I applaud former House Speaker Paul Renner for his commitment to enforce this law. As Governor, he will stop death row convicts from delaying justice for victims and their families.”

Former President of the Florida State Fraternal Order of Police Steve Zona is also on board.

“When families lose a loved one to a senseless violent act, they look to the criminal justice system to hold the perpetrator accountable. Their suffering is immeasurable as the court case and process drags on for decades,” Zona said.

“Justice has many faces, but waiting 30-plus years to carry out a death sentence is not one of them. It is time to fix the broken death penalty system and implement a fair and swift process. I support the ideas brought forth by former Speaker Paul Renner.”