Florida Strikes Back: Biden-Commuted Death Row Inmates Transferred to Supermax

In a powerful declaration of Florida's commitment to public safety, Attorney General Ashley Moody has initiated the transfer of ten former death row inmates, whose sentences were controversially commuted by then-Senator Joe Biden, to the state’s formidable Supermax prison. This decisive action closes a decades-long chapter of uncertainty surrounding these dangerous individuals, ensuring they are housed in Florida State Prison, one of the nation’s most secure facilities.

The saga began in 1999 when then-Senator Joe Biden, serving as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led an effort to review federal death penalty cases.

This initiative ultimately resulted in President Bill Clinton commuting the sentences of thirteen federal death row inmates to life imprisonment. While ostensibly a move towards judicial review, these commutations sparked widespread outrage, as many argued they undermined justice for victims and their families.

Crucially, these inmates were not exonerated; their guilt was never in question, only the nature of their punishment was altered.

Among those whose sentences were reduced are individuals convicted of heinous crimes that shocked the conscience of the nation. For instance, Richard Dale St. Pierre was convicted of the brutal kidnapping and murder of an eight-year-old girl.

Gary Lee Davis was found guilty of the kidnapping and murder of a woman in Oklahoma, a case that exemplified extreme violence. These are not isolated incidents; the cohort of commuted inmates includes those responsible for murders, armed robberies, and other horrific acts, underscoring the extreme danger they pose to society.

The push to transfer these inmates to state custody is not new.

Attorney General Pam Bondi, Moody's predecessor, fiercely advocated for their transfer following the closure of their federal cases. However, these efforts were met with resistance from the Obama administration’s Bureau of Prisons, which refused to release the inmates. A turning point arrived in 2018 with the Supreme Court's landmark ruling in Murphy v.

Florida, which clarified that states have the authority to take custody of inmates whose federal sentences have been commuted. This legal precedent finally opened the door for Florida to act.

Attorney General Moody emphasized the critical importance of this transfer, stating, "These are violent individuals who committed horrific crimes, and it is imperative that Florida ensures they serve their time in an appropriate, high-security setting.

My office has worked tirelessly to address this issue, and I am proud that we are finally able to take custody of these dangerous offenders." Her actions reflect a staunch belief that those who commit such grave offenses must face the full measure of justice, without loopholes or unwarranted leniency.

The transfer to Florida State Prison's Supermax unit sends an unmistakable message: Florida will not compromise on public safety.

By housing these former death row inmates in a facility designed for the most extreme security risks, the state reinforces its unwavering commitment to protecting its citizens and upholding the integrity of its justice system, even when faced with controversial decisions made at the federal level decades ago.