Florida Governor DeSantis signs execution warrant for 1995 murder

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a death warrant for 77-year-old Curtis Wilkie Beasley, who is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection at Florida State Prison on September 29. Beasley was convicted for the 1995 murder of Carolyn Monfort in Polk County. Monfort was found dead in her laundry room after being struck with a hammer; investigators later recovered blood-stained clothing that confirmed her identity through DNA testing.

Beasley, who has maintained his innocence since his 1998 conviction for first-degree murder, robbery, and grand theft, is the 16th inmate in Florida to have an execution warrant signed in 2026. This follows a period of increased capital punishment activity in the state, which saw 19 executions in 2025.

The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops has requested that DeSantis stay upcoming executions, arguing that lifelong imprisonment is a sufficient response to heinous crimes. DeSantis has previously defended the use of the death penalty, stating that it is necessary to serve justice for victims' families.