Florida plans to carry out two executions on Tuesday, a rarity since 1976
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Florida will execute James Duckett and Dominick Occhicone on the same day, marking the first double execution in the state since the modern death-penalty era began, amid criticism over secrecy and procedural concerns.
Florida is set to carry out two lethal injections on Tuesday, with James Duckett, 68, scheduled for noon and Dominick Occhicone, 80, slated for six hours later. The executions would be the first instance of a double execution in the state since the modern death-penalty era began in 1976 and the first such occurrence nationwide since Arkansas performed two executions in 2017.
Robin Maher, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center, said > "Two executions in a day is incredibly rare" and added that the decision by Governor Ron DeSantis was "consistent with the secrecy that has surrounded every execution, and every execution decision, that Florida is making these days."
Maher also noted that Florida has scheduled execution dates roughly every two weeks, a pace she described as extraordinary and lacking clear justification. Matt Wells, deputy director of Reprieve US, warned that the rapid scheduling could increase the risk of painful deaths, citing public records that suggest the state has sometimes used expired drugs or incorrect dosages.
The two inmates face different circumstances. Occhicone, 80, was convicted of killing his former girlfriend’s parents in 1986 and is described as frail and not a security threat. Duckett, a former police officer, was sentenced for the 1987 murder of an 11-year-old girl; his claim of innocence remains unresolved after inconclusive DNA testing. Both convictions were secured by non-unanimous juries.
The upcoming executions occur as Florida leads the nation in the number of deaths carried out this year, having already executed ten inmates, more than double the next most active state. The state's execution practices have drawn scrutiny from the U.S. Supreme Court and human-rights groups over transparency and adherence to protocols.