Florida Death Row Inmate Requests Governor DeSantis at Execution

Last updated: July 11, 2026

NewsWK — In a notable case drawing attention in Florida, Dennis Michael Sochor, who was convicted of murdering an 18-year-old woman at a Broward County bar 44 years ago, is facing execution by lethal injection at the Florida State Prison. This execution is scheduled for Tuesday, and Sochor has expressed a unique last wish: he wants Governor Ron DeSantis to attend the event in person.

According to Rev. Jeff Hood, Sochor’s spiritual advisor and founder of the Execution Intervention Project, the inmate believes that the governor’s presence could influence how executions are managed in Florida. Hood stated, “Dennis very clearly has said that more so than even asking the governor to stop his execution, he’s asking for the governor’s attendance at his execution.” If carried out as planned, Sochor would become the 10th individual executed in Florida this year.

The state has seen a high rate of executions recently, with 29 individuals put to death since January 2025, far surpassing other states. Governor DeSantis has remained largely silent regarding the numerous death warrants he has signed, which has raised questions about the criteria guiding these decisions. Journalist Pamela Colloff recently highlighted that the governor’s approach appears arbitrary, noting that the duration a prisoner has spent on death row does not seem to affect execution scheduling.

Sochor’s crime dates back to a New Year’s Eve celebration in 1981, during which he murdered Patricia Gifford after she allegedly refused his advances. Despite confessing to the crime, Sochor has expressed remorse and has attempted to reach out to Gifford’s family. His legal team has made multiple attempts to delay the execution, citing procedural issues with the state’s handling of evidence, but these claims have been dismissed by the courts.

As executions continue to rise, public sentiment on the death penalty is shifting, with a recent Gallup survey showing support has dropped to 52%—the lowest since 1972. Rev. Hood emphasized the rapid pace of executions, stating, “We know that Gov. DeSantis is continually signing [death] warrants… and so I think it’s important to point out that his pen is a weapon and he is firing it indiscriminately.” As of now, the governor’s office has not commented on the situation.