Floridian Faces Death Penalty Again for 1998 Child Killing

Harrel Braddy, who was convicted in 2007 in the 1998 killing of a five-year-old, is back in court for a resentencing trial after his original death sentence was reversed; jury selection has begun and under Florida’s 2023 law a death sentence can be imposed by an eight-to-four jury vote.

Harrel Braddy, 76, is back in Florida court as a resentencing trial begins in a case from 1998. He was convicted in 2007 of first-degree murder, kidnapping and related charges in the death of a five-year-old child. His original death sentence was reversed in 2017, and the case has returned for resentencing this week. Changes to state law in 2023 affect how a death sentence may be imposed. Key details: - The victim in the 1998 case is reported as a five-year-old identified in news accounts as Quantisha Maycock; the child’s mother, Shandelle Maycock, was also involved in the incident. - Braddy was found guilty in 2007 on counts including first-degree murder and kidnapping and was sentenced to death at that time. - The earlier death sentence was reversed in 2017, and Braddy also received additional consecutive prison terms for related charges. - Jury selection for the current resentencing trial began this week. - Under Florida’s 2023 law, a death sentence can be imposed with an eight-to-four jury vote. Summary: The case has returned to court for a resentencing trial, with jury selection underway. Under the state’s 2023 law, a death sentence could be imposed by an eight-to-four jury vote. The ultimate outcome is undetermined at this time.