Florida schedules dual executions for October 13

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has scheduled two executions to take place at Florida State Prison in Starke on October 13. This marks the 19th execution order signed by DeSantis in 2026, tying the state's previous annual record.

James Robertson, 63, is scheduled for execution at noon for the 2008 murder of his cellmate, Frank Hart. Robertson, who was featured in the Netflix documentary series ‘I Am a Killer’, admitted to strangling Hart with a garrote to secure a death sentence and escape solitary confinement conditions. His conviction and sentence were upheld by the Florida Supreme Court in 2016.

A second execution for William Lee Thompson, 74, is tentatively scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on the same day. Thompson was convicted of the 1976 murder, kidnapping, and sexual assault of Sally Ivester. However, his execution is currently on hold while a panel of psychiatrists evaluates his mental competency following concerns regarding his cognitive health and potential decline.