Florida Executes Inmate Who Said He Killed Cellmate to Reach Death Row

James Robertson, 63, was executed by lethal injection at Florida State Prison on Tuesday, ending a process that began with a three-drug protocol lasting about ten minutes. Robertson had pleaded guilty to first-degree murder for strangling fellow inmate Frank Hart in 2008 and had waived all appeals, telling investigators he killed Hart to avoid spending the rest of his life in prison.

"Florida has a sound lethal injection process and protocol," state Department of Corrections spokesperson Jordan Kirkland said at a news conference, adding that the state aims to ensure the procedure is "humane and digniful."

Hart's daughter, Rebecca Hart, expressed the ongoing pain of her loss, noting that life continues for others while the family carries the trauma.

Robertson, who first entered prison at age 17 for burglary and assault, had accumulated additional convictions for escape, battery and weapons offenses over the decades. Hart, convicted of sexual battery, had been scheduled for release eight days before his death.

The execution follows a recent botched lethal injection in Tennessee and comes as the Pentagon announced plans to livestream a firing-squad execution, prompting criticism from lawmakers of both parties.

Governor Ron DeSantis withdrew a death warrant for William Lee Thompson, 74, a separate death-row inmate, citing a pending psychiatric evaluation. Thompson, convicted of murder, kidnapping and sexual battery in 1976, remains on death row pending further proceedings.

Florida has carried out 19 executions in 2025, the highest annual total for any governor since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. Robertson's death is the 17th execution recorded for 2026, with two more scheduled later in the year. The state accounts for more than half of the 31 executions nationwide so far this year.