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Florida death penalty execution increases

Updated 7 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-21 16:17 UTC → 2026-10-26 06:58 UTC · added removed

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has overseen a significant increase in capital punishment activity in 2026. In early October, the Governor scheduled dual executions for October 13 involving James Robertson, who admitted to the 2008 murder of a cellmate, and William Lee Thompson, whose execution remained tentatively scheduled pending a mental competency evaluation. By October 5, DeSantis ordered a 20th execution for the year, targeting Jesse Guardado for a 2004 murder. This order set a new state record for annual executions. While Tennessee suspended its executions following a failed lethal injection procedure, Florida has continued its schedule, now accounting for more than half of the 29 executions recorded across the United States. Civil rights groups have criticized this acceleration and petitioned for alternative sentencing. On October 9, Governor DeSantis withdrew the death warrant for William Lee Thompson, marking the first time he has called off an execution since taking office. Thompson, 74, was scheduled for execution on October 13 for a 1976 murder and kidnapping. Although the Governor’s office did not provide a specific reason, Thompson’s legal team had argued he lacked the legal capacity to be executed due to advanced dementia. On October 13, Florida executed James Robertson, 63, via lethal injection at Florida State Prison. Robertson, who had waived all legal appeals, admitted to killing his cellmate, Frank Hart, with a makeshift ligature to secure a death sentence. On October 20, Florida carried out its 18th execution of the year, putting to death 77-year-old William Reaves, a Vietnam War veteran, via a three-drug lethal injection. Reaves was convicted of the 1986 shooting death of Indian River County Deputy Richard Raczkowski. Reaves, the eighth prisoner over age 70 executed in Florida this year, stated, “No, I do not,” when asked if he had last words. Recent reports indicate that Florida has executed 37 people over a two-year period under the DeSantis administration.

Versions

  1. 2026-10-26 06:58 UTC Florida death penalty execution increases
  2. 2026-10-21 16:17 UTC Florida death penalty execution increases
  3. 2026-10-21 02:07 UTC Florida death penalty execution increases
  4. 2026-10-20 21:13 UTC Florida death penalty execution increases
  5. 2026-10-14 11:18 UTC Florida death penalty execution increases
  6. 2026-10-13 20:01 UTC Florida death penalty execution increases
  7. 2026-10-09 16:55 UTC Florida death penalty execution increases
  8. 2026-10-06 03:31 UTC Florida death penalty execution increases

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