Florida Governor Cancels 74-Year-Old Inmate’s Execution Just Days Before Scheduled Date

A Florida death row inmate who has spent nearly five decades awaiting execution has had his scheduled execution called off just days before it was due to take place.

William Lee Thompson, 74, had been scheduled to die by lethal injection on October 13, 2026, for his role in the 1976 murder of 23-year-old Sally Ivester in Miami-Dade County.

On October 8, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis withdrew the death warrant, halting the planned execution. The governor did not publicly explain his decision.

A Case Dating Back Nearly 50 Years

Thompson was originally sentenced to death in 1976. His initial sentence was later overturned on appeal, but a jury recommended the death penalty again during a resentencing hearing in 1989.

His co-defendant, Rocco Surace, received a life sentence and died in prison in 1993.

Serious Concerns About His Health

In the weeks before the scheduled execution, Thompson’s legal team and supporters raised concerns about his deteriorating physical and mental condition.

An advocacy group said he suffers from dementia and several serious medical conditions and now requires extensive assistance with daily activities. His legal team also argued that his cognitive decline raised questions about whether he understood his impending execution and the reasons behind it.

Florida officials appointed a panel of psychiatrists to evaluate his mental condition. The findings were not publicly released when the death warrant was withdrawn.

Thompson’s attorney, Bri Lacy, expressed relief that the execution would not proceed as scheduled and called for him to receive appropriate medical care.

What Happens Next?

The withdrawal of the death warrant means Thompson will not be executed on October 13. However, it does not automatically overturn his conviction or death sentence, and a new warrant could potentially be issued in the future.

The decision comes amid renewed national attention on capital punishment and the treatment of seriously ill inmates on death row.

For now, Thompson’s scheduled execution has been halted, while questions surrounding his health and the state’s decision remain.

Source:

PEOPLE

Associated Press