JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Two death penalty cases affected by the new death penalty ruling will be in Duval County court Monday morning.
The recent ruling stated that the death penalty law in the State of Florida is unconstitutional.
The ruling that affects two Duval County cases has families in the courtroom longer, which can be tiring for the family.
James Rhodes is accused of killing Shelby Farah at a Metro PCS store in 2013.
Rhodes’ court appearance is expected to include motions regarding death penalty.
Rhodes was charged in connection to the death of Farah, 20.
Farah’s mother has been candid about her disagreement with the State Attorney's Office to seek the death penalty for her daughter’s accused killer. Farah’s mother said it will only keep the case going, but State Attorney Angela Corey said the law requires her to seek death.
In the Michael Shellito case, he was convicted in the murder of 18-year-old Sean Hathorne. Hathrone was shot in the chest in 1994 and Shellito was sentenced to death.
But the Florida Supreme Court unanimously overturned his death sentence back in 2013 citing mental issues and that he may have suffered from brain damage from child abuse.
Shelitto has a final pretrial hearing Monday morning. His case isn't scheduled to go to trial until 2017.
As of today, there are 388 people in Florida on death row.
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