Florida Execution Called Off After DeSantis Withdraws Death Warrant for the First Time
The governor acted after doctors and attorneys raised questions about dementia, heart disease and other illnesses, while Thompson had been set for execution next Tuesday.
- On Thursday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis withdrew the death warrant for 74-year-old William Lee Thompson, canceling his execution scheduled for October 13 without providing a specific explanation for the reversal.
- DeSantis previously commissioned a three-member psychiatric panel under Executive Order 26-192 to evaluate Thompson after defense counsel raised concerns about his mental capacity. A neuropsychologist found Thompson failed to recognize he was on death row, believing "Bush" was president.
- According to court filings, Thompson suffers from advanced dementia, systolic congestive heart failure, and sepsis, with severe wasting cachexia dropping his weight to 99 pounds. He carries 17 surgical abdominal staples and three head staples from a recent fall.
- Hours before withdrawing the warrant, the Florida Supreme Court rejected Thompson's stay request, yet the state continues preparing for the unrelated execution of James Robertson on Tuesday at Florida State Prison.
- Grace Hanna, executive director of Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, warned of growing international scrutiny following recent failed executions elsewhere. Advocates argue that executing frail inmates violates the Eighth Amendment's protection against cruel and unusual punishment.
43 Articles
43 Articles
DeSantis Withdraws Death Warrant for Sick Inmate Who'd Been Refused Care
Gov. Ron DeSantis has withdrawn the death warrant for William Lee Thompson, who was scheduled to be one of two inmates executed on Tuesday. DeSantis didn’t state a reason for the change in his Thursday afternoon letter to Florida State Prison Warden Randall Polk, but it comes as Thompson’s counsel and opponents of the death penalty have reported the 74-year-old inmate has several health issues including dementia and heart failure
DeSantis withdraws death warrant for 74-year-old William Thompson
The execution chamber at Florida State Prison. (Via Florida Department of Corrections)Five days before the state of Florida was scheduled to execute 74-year-old William Thompson for the 1976 murder, kidnapping, and rape of 23-year-old woman in Miami-Dade County, Gov. Ron DeSantis withdrew his death warrant Thursday. The governor did not explain why he withdrew the warrant in the letter he sent to Florida State Prison Warden Randall Park, but it …
Florida execution called off after DeSantis withdraws death warrant for the first time - WXXV News 25
By DAVID FISCHER MIAMI (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has withdrawn a death warrant for the first time since taking office, calling off a man’s execution just days before he was scheduled to die by lethal injection in the nation’s busiest death chamber. The Republican governor, who has aggressively used the death penalty in his final term, signed a...
For the First Time, DeSantis Withdraws a Death Warrant
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has withrawn a death warrant for the first time since taking office, calling off a man's execution just days before he was scheduled to die by lethal injection in the nation's busiest death chamber. The Republican governor, who has aggressively used the death penalty in his...
DeSantis Calls Off Convicted Killer’s Execution Days Before Scheduled Death - American Liberty News
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has canceled the scheduled execution of a 74-year-old convicted murderer whose attorneys say he suffers from dementia, heart failure and severe cognitive decline. DeSantis withdrew William Lee Thompson’s death warrant Thursday, five days before Thompson was scheduled to die by lethal injection for the 1976 murder of Sally Ivester in Miami-Dade […]
DeSantis withdraws death warrant for elderly inmate days before execution
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) withdrew the death warrant for an elderly inmate before he was set to be executed by lethal injection next week. DeSantis did not say why he revoked the death penalty for William Thompson, 74, in a signed letter on Thursday, but the move is likely related to the fact that the […]
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
