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Florida killer on death row for Carlie Brucia's murder to be resentenced

Posted at 2:54 PM, Apr 05, 2018
and last updated 2018-04-05 14:54:49-04

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A Florida man on death row for kidnapping, raping and killing 11-year-old Carlie Brucia in a case that captured the nation’s attention will get a new sentencing hearing.

RELATED | Death sentence for Carlie Brucia's killer is vacated, 11-year-old murdered in Sarasota in 2004

The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday ordered a hearing for Joseph Smith because the jury that recommended the death sentence wasn’t unanimous.

The 2004 case received national publicity after a surveillance camera captured images of Smith taking Carlie away.

Smith had a long record, had recently violated probation, but was released. That outraged the public and politicians.

Then-U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris filed a bill called “Carlie’s Law” to get tougher on criminals who violate federal probation. While that failed, then-Gov. Charlie Crist signed a similar bill into law in 2006. The so-called “anti-murder” act was inspired by Carlie and other child victims.