A 74-year-old Florida man was executed on Thursday for his conviction in the 1992 fatal stabbing of his wife, making him the oldest inmate in modern state history to be put to death. The execution was carried out using a three-drug injection at Florida State Prison near Starke. The inmate was pronounced dead at 6:10 p.m. after a few minutes of labored breathing.
Before his execution, the inmate was given the opportunity to make a final statement. He apologized to the family and committed his spirit and soul to a higher power. After his statement, he ceased all movements, and a medic pronounced him dead. The warden had shaken him and shouted his name several times without a response before the medic's pronouncement.
The inmate was convicted in November 1992 of the first-degree murder of his wife. He had a history of violence against her, including an incident in December 1991 where he choked and threatened to kill her. While in jail, he warned her that he would finish what he started when he was released. This threat was fulfilled when he attacked and killed her in January 1992.
The execution sets a record for the oldest inmate to be put to death in Florida's modern history. The previous record holders were 72 years old at the time of their executions. Another 74-year-old Florida inmate is scheduled to be executed in July for his conviction in a killing that took place in 1982.
The execution is the ninth in Florida so far this year. Last year, the state set a record for the most executions in one year, with 19 people put to death. This surpasses the previous record of eight executions in 1984 and 2014. Florida also led the country in executions last year, with 47 people put to death across the US.
The inmate's case was marked by a lengthy appeals process, which spanned several decades. He was initially sentenced to death in 1992 but was resentenced in 1995 after the Florida Supreme Court found that the trial court had mishandled evaluating aggravating and mitigating circumstances. Subsequent appeals were denied, and the state Supreme Court rejected his appeals last week.
