Florida Executes Inmate Who Killed Cellmate to Seek Death Penalty
James Robertson, 63, was executed in Florida after pleading guilty to murdering his cellmate in 2008 to obtain a death sentence.
James Robertson, 63, was put to death by lethal injection at Florida State Prison on Tuesday, ending a case in which he had admitted killing his cellmate, Frank Hart, to secure a death sentence. Robertson declined to offer a final statement when asked for last words, responding, "Nah, I’m straight."
The execution proceeded without incident, with the Department of Corrections confirming that the three-drug protocol – a sedative, a paralytic and a heart-stopping agent – was administered according to state procedures. "Florida has a sound lethal injection process and protocol," said Jordan Kirkland, a spokesperson for the department, adding that the state aims to make the process "humane and dignified."
Robertson had pleaded guilty to first-degree murder for strangling Hart while he slept in 2008, eight days before Hart's scheduled release. Hart's daughter, Rebecca Hart, expressed her grief, saying the loss continues to affect her daily life.
The execution came after Governor Ron DeSantis withdrew a death warrant for William Lee Thompson, 74, citing concerns about the inmate's mental competency and health. Thompson remains on death row, and a new warrant may be issued later.
Florida has accelerated its execution schedule, carrying out 17 executions in 2026 so far and 19 in 2025, accounting for roughly 40% of the national total for 2025. The state plans additional executions later this year, including William Reaves on Oct. 20 and Jesse Guardado on Nov. 5.