NO DEATH PENALTY FOR RICE 3-31-17

The State Attorney’s Office will not seek the death penalty against Mary Rice, the companion of multiple murderer Billy Boyette. Rice has been charged with murder and accessory after the fact, but State Attorney Bill Eddins said the decision was made after prosecutors reviewed Rice’s case after the Florida Legislature earlier this month passed a bill changing the requirements for seeking capital punishment. The new law requires that juries reach a unanimous decision in death penalty cases. Eddins said he believes the evidence against Rice is very strong, but not strong enough to convince an entire jury to sentence her to death. Rice surrendered to authorities in Georgia in February and Boyette took his own life.