A Jacksonville cab driver who murdered five women was sentenced to death in 2007, but because of a Supreme Court ruling, any non-unanimous death sentence after 2002 had to be resentenced.
Paul Durousseau. the cab driver, was dubbed “The Cabbie Killer.” He is accused of murdering five women whom he befriended drove in his cab in Jacksonville.
In 1999, one of his victims, Tyresa Mack, was found dead by her sister in her Jacksonville apartment. She was only 24 years old.
Paul Durousseau was charged w/ killing 5 women in Jax in the 2000's he was sentenced to death, but will have a re sentencing @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/syPyY7nmXH
— Bridgette Matter (@bridgetteANjax) February 1, 2017
Durousseau was convicted in Mack’s case, and sentenced to death, but never went to trial on the other cases. Now, almost 10 years after he was sentenced, Durousseau has an opportunity to get off death row.
In a new Supreme Court opinion, the Hurst v. Florida case is cited, saying, “Durousseau’s death sentence was imposed under an unconstitutional capital sentencing statute.”
It was ruled that non-unanimous in Florida death penalty cases after 2002 have to be resentenced. The ruling requires a 12-member jury to unanimously agree the case deserves the death penalty.
Cox Media Group
