In the quiet of a Florida prison near Starke, Frank Athen Walls, 58, met his end by lethal injection Thursday evening. It was the 19th execution in Florida this year – a grim milestone that underscores a renewed push for capital punishment within the state.
The execution unfolded with stark precision. Walls was already secured to the gurney as the curtain rose, his body largely concealed beneath a blanket, an IV line already in place. A Catholic priest offered a silent vigil at the foot of the gurney, his hand gently extended towards the condemned man.
In his final moments, Walls offered a surprising apology. He expressed remorse to the families of his victims, acknowledging the pain he had inflicted over the years. His words, relayed by a governor’s spokesperson, hung heavy in the chamber.
The execution itself was a slow, unsettling process. Walls’ breathing became labored, his consciousness fading. A warden repeatedly called his name, seeking a response that never came. Finally, his breathing ceased, and a medic confirmed his death.
The crimes that led to this moment were brutal and calculated. In July 1987, Walls invaded the mobile home of an airman stationed at Eglin Air Force Base, Edward Alger, and his girlfriend, Ann Peterson. He bound them, but Alger fought back.
The struggle turned violent. Walls slashed Alger’s throat, then shot him in the head when the airman continued to resist. Peterson, as she fought for her life, was also shot. The scene was one of unimaginable horror.
Walls’ capture came swiftly, thanks to a concerned roommate who noticed his unsettling behavior. A search of their home yielded evidence linking Walls to the crime, and he eventually confessed to the murders.
But the story didn’t end there. DNA evidence later connected Walls to another horrific crime – the rape and murder of Audrey Gygi in 1987. He pleaded no contest, avoiding a second potential death sentence. He also confessed to two additional killings as part of a plea deal.
The current governor, a staunch advocate for capital punishment, signed Walls’ death warrant and has overseen a dramatic increase in executions this year, surpassing all previous records since the death penalty’s reinstatement. His stated goal is to deliver long-awaited justice to victims’ families.
Despite a last-minute plea to the U.S. Supreme Court for a stay of execution, the request was denied. In his final hours, Walls was allowed a visitor, a spiritual advisor, and a final meal of steak, chicken, and cheesecake.
With Walls’ execution, the national total for court-ordered executions this year reaches 47. Florida leads the nation in the number of executions carried out, followed by Alabama, South Carolina, and Texas. The method used in Florida involves a three-drug injection designed to induce unconsciousness, paralysis, and ultimately, cardiac arrest.
