Attorney: Botched Tennessee execution should ‘force reckoning’ in Florida

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a death warrant for James Robertson, setting his execution for Oct. 13, the same day the state plans to execute 74-year-old William Lee Thompson, who medical professionals say suffers dementia, congestive heart failure, and other grave conditions. More than 100 medical professionals signed a letter urging DeSantis to withdraw Thompson's warrant, calling execution of a man in his described state incompatible with basic medical ethics.

The push comes days after Tennessee halted an execution when officials failed to establish IV access on death row inmate Christa Pike, who remains intubated and unconscious in a Nashville hospital, the second botched Tennessee execution attempt in five months. A capital defense attorney who witnessed the earlier failed execution says what happened in Tennessee should force a reckoning in Florida given Thompson's documented health problems.

If the Oct. 13 double execution and a further scheduled execution on Oct. 20 proceed, Florida will have executed 19 people this year, tying its 2025 record; seven of this year's executed prisoners were over age 70.

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