Florida’s First Double Execution in Over 60 Years
In a significant event, two inmates on Florida’s death row are set to be executed on the same day—July 28—marking the first occurrence of a double execution in the state since the 1960s.
Governor Ron DeSantis has rescheduled the execution of James Duckett, a former police officer convicted of murdering a child, for noon on July 28. This is just six hours before the scheduled execution of Dominick Anthony Occhicone Jr., as reported.
The 68-year-old Duckett was initially slated for execution in March for the 1987 murder of an 11-year-old girl. However, he received a temporary moratorium from the Florida Supreme Court while awaiting new DNA test results.
Despite the testing being inconclusive, Duckett’s probation expired earlier in July, leading to his execution being rescheduled by the governor.
Occhicone, at 80 years old, was convicted of killing his ex-fiancée’s parents back in 1986. This makes him not only the oldest death row inmate in Florida but also the second oldest in the entire U.S.
This upcoming double execution will mark the first time in roughly 60 years that Florida has executed two inmates on the same day.
Governor DeSantis has expressed his desire to provide closure to families who have waited decades for justice regarding their loved ones’ murders.
Since January 2025, there have been 64 executions throughout the United States. Under DeSantis’s administration, Florida has accounted for 29 of those executions, representing a significant portion of the national total.
This year alone, Florida has conducted over half of the nation’s executions. During his tenure, the governor has turned in more death warrants than any prior governor and endorsed additional legislation to expand the use of the death penalty to include those convicted of child molestation.
He also signed a recent law intended to broaden the methods of execution, stating that any methods not deemed unconstitutional can be included. Critics argue that this opens a door to methods that could be seen as barbaric, given the lack of a definitive ruling against any form of capital punishment.
Opponents, including the group Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, have accused DeSantis of using the death penalty as a political tool, especially with the 2028 presidential race on the horizon. They believe he’s treating executions as a routine exercise of power.
Robin Maher, the executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center, raised concerns over the emotional toll on prison staff when executing two inmates in one day, criticizing the governor’s pace in handling these cases. She highlighted a perceived recklessness in his decision-making.
However, after consulting with the families of the victims, DeSantis seems even more committed to seeing these executions through, stressing that “justice delayed is justice denied.” In his view, this is about delivering justice for the victims’ families.
