Florida
Florida Death Row Inmates Seek Supreme Court Intervention Ahead of Scheduled Executions
Barring a last-hour intervention by the U.S. Supreme Court, two Florida death row inmates will be executed within hours of each other Tuesday at Florida State Prison near Starke. James Aren Duckett, 68, is scheduled to be executed at noon.…
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Key points
- James Aren Duckett and Dominick Occhicone face execution in Florida pending Supreme Court review.
- Duckett’s attorneys argue for DNA testing to prove his innocence, while Occhicone’s team raises health concerns.
- Florida has executed ten inmates this year, raising significant legal and ethical questions.
NewsWK — Two inmates on Florida’s death row, James Aren Duckett, 68, and Dominick Occhicone, 80, are facing imminent executions scheduled for Tuesday at Florida State Prison, pending a decision from the U.S. Supreme Court. Duckett, convicted for the 1987 murder of 11-year-old Teresa McAbee, is set to be executed at noon, while Occhicone, who was found guilty of a double murder that same year, is scheduled six hours later.
Attorneys for both men filed requests for stays of execution with the Supreme Court over the weekend. This year, Florida has executed ten death row inmates, contributing significantly to the national total of executions.
In his appeal, Duckett’s legal team argues that he deserves further DNA testing, claiming that the Florida Supreme Court‘s denial of this request violated his rights. They maintain that no eyewitnesses have connected Duckett to the crime, stating, “Absent immediate intervention from this Court, a wrongful execution will occur on July 28.” They emphasize that critical evidence collected at the time of the crime was not adequately tested due to limitations in forensic technology.
Occhicone’s attorneys contend that executing him would infringe upon his constitutional rights, citing the psychological toll on staff due to two executions occurring on the same day, which is unprecedented in modern Florida history. They also raise concerns about the shortage of Etomidate, a drug used in the execution process, and request the Court to consider Occhicone’s advanced age and health issues as grounds for a stay.
As the situation develops, the legal teams for Duckett and Occhicone continue to seek justice while navigating the complexities of the legal system regarding capital punishment in Florida.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
Based on reporting by Mitch Perry originally published by Florida Phoenix. Read the original story.
