DeSantis ally supported death penalty for child abusers. He could now face it.
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A former Republican state lawmaker and close ally of Gov. Ron DeSantis could face the death penalty if he’s convicted of allegations that he sexually battered a child under a controversial law he supported in 2023.
But secret grand jury proceedings would have to happen before he’s charged. Under Florida’s rules of criminal procedure, capital criminal charges — those carrying a death penalty — can only be brought through a grand jury indictment. A grand jury hears the prosecutor’s side of a case before deciding whether to hand up an indictment. The grand jury’s deliberations are conducted in secret.
Mike Caruso, whom DeSantis appointed as Palm Beach County’s clerk of courts and comptroller last year, was arrested Tuesday on sex abuse charges related to a young child. He has been charged with kidnapping, molestation, lewd and lascivious exhibition, luring or enticing a child, and child abuse.
Read more at Miami Herald.