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Florida Plans Rare Double Execution: Two Men, One Day
Florida Plans Two Executions in One Day: What You Need to Know
A Historic and Unusual Event
Florida is about to do something it hasn’t done in over 60 years. On Tuesday, July 28, 2025, the state plans to execute two men just six hours apart. This would be the first time since 1964 that Florida puts more than one person to death in a single day.
Important Point: Only two other states have carried out multiple executions in one day in the past 26 years—Arkansas in 2017 and Texas in 2000. This is extremely rare in modern American history.
Who Are the Two Men?
James Duckett
- Age: Not specified in the article
- Background: Former police officer in Mascotte, Florida
- Crime: Convicted of murdering 11-year-old Teresa McAbee in 1987
- Time on death row: More than 30 years
- Key detail: Duckett has maintained his innocence for decades
- Scheduled execution: Noon on Tuesday
Dominick Occhicone
- Age: 80 years old
- Crime: Convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend’s parents, Raymond and Martha Artzner, in 1986
- Key detail: If executed, he would be the second octogenarian (person in their 80s) ever executed in the modern era of the U.S. death penalty
- Health concerns: His lawyers argue his age and health problems make execution "cruel and unusual punishment"
- Scheduled execution: Hours after Duckett (around 6 PM)
Why Is This Happening Now?
Florida has dramatically sped up executions under Governor Ron DeSantis:
| Year | Executions in Florida | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 19 | Record high — more than double the previous modern record |
| 2026 (so far) | 10 | More than half of all U.S. executions this year |
| National peak (1999) | ~100 nationwide | Executions have generally declined since then |
Important Point: Florida now executes more people than any other state — and it’s not even close.
Why Are People Worried?
1. Florida Leads the Nation in Wrongful Convictions
- Since 1973, 30 people on Florida’s death row have been exonerated (proven innocent and released)
- That’s more than any other state
- Critics say rushing executions increases the risk of killing an innocent person
2. The Governor Has Unchecked Power
- In Florida, only the governor can sign a death warrant (the order that sets an execution date)
- No judge or jury needs to approve the timing
- Critics call this system "secretive" and "ripe for abuse"
- As one advocate put it: "For all we know it could be the governor throwing darts at a dartboard."
3. Two Executions in One Day = More Pressure, More Risk
- The execution team must prepare, carry out, and clean up twice in six hours
- Experts warn this increases the chance of "botched" executions (where something goes wrong)
- Both inmates have filed lawsuits arguing the compressed timeline creates danger
4. Executing an 80-Year-Old Raises Ethical Questions
- Occhicone’s lawyers argued his age and health make execution unconstitutional
- The Florida Supreme Court rejected this argument
- A Catholic priest who ministers to death row inmates called it "even more cruel and unusual"
The Political Context
Governor Ron DeSantis has defended the pace of executions:
- Says the death penalty is an "appropriate punishment for the worst offenders"
- Believes it acts as a "strong deterrent"
- Claims he’s delivering justice for victims’ families: "Justice delayed is justice denied"
Critics see a political motive:
- DeSantis ran for president in 2024 (unsuccessfully)
- His execution surge aligns with President Trump’s calls to expand the death penalty
- Some say he’s using executions to bolster his political future
Life on Death Row Right Now
The prisoners on Florida’s death row are acutely aware of the acceleration. A priest who visits regularly says inmates have learned to recognize warning signs:
- A distinctive jingle of keys in the hallway
- Seeing a particular officer in a specific uniform
"Most of these men are very aware that not only has it been accelerating, but with executing two men on the same day, it keeps accelerating even more."
— Father Dustin Feddon, Catholic priest and death row minister
What Happens on Execution Day?
For James Duckett (noon execution):
- Father Feddon will be in the death chamber with him
- He’ll sit beside Duckett, hand on his leg
- They’ll pray together — Catholic prayers for the dying
- Feddon will bring communion and holy oil for last rites
- Feddon reflects: "Why are we as a state still choosing to answer violence by killing people?"
For Dominick Occhicone (~6 PM execution):
- Same process, different team (or exhausted team)
- Would become Florida’s oldest executed inmate (surpassing two 74-year-olds executed weeks earlier)
Summary
| Key Takeaway | Details |
|---|---|
| Historic day | First double execution in Florida since 1964 |
| Two men | James Duckett (claims innocence) and Dominick Occhicone (80 years old) |
| Record pace | 19 executions in 2025, 10 already in 2026 — most in U.S. |
| Big concerns | Wrongful convictions (30 exonerated), unchecked governor power, risk of botched executions |
| Political angle | DeSantis accelerating executions, aligning with Trump’s death penalty push |
| Human element | Death row inmates living in fear; priest ministering to condemned men |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why does Florida execute so many more people than other states?
Florida is one of the few states where the governor alone decides when executions happen. Most states require a judge or court to set the date. This gives Florida’s governor unusual power to speed up or slow down executions.
What does "exonerated" mean?
It means a person was proven innocent after being convicted — usually through new evidence (like DNA) — and released from prison. Florida has had 30 death row exonerations since 1973, the most in the country.
What is a "botched execution"?
A botched execution is when something goes wrong during the process — for example, the IV line fails, the drugs don’t work properly, or the prisoner shows signs of suffering. Experts worry that rushing two executions in one day makes this more likely.
Can the governor stop an execution once it’s scheduled?
Yes. The governor has the power to grant clemency (mercy) — which can mean delaying the execution, reducing the sentence to life in prison, or pardoning the inmate. But under DeSantis, this power has rarely been used.
Why execute an 80-year-old man?
Occhicone was convicted of a brutal double murder in 1986. The state argues the jury sentenced him to death and courts have upheld it. His lawyers argued his age and health make execution unconstitutional, but the Florida Supreme Court disagreed. Critics say executing a frail, elderly person serves no purpose — he would likely die in prison soon anyway.
Final Thought: This Tuesday isn’t just about two men. It’s about what kind of justice system Florida wants to be — one that moves fast, or one that makes absolutely sure it’s not killing innocent people. The whole country will be watching.
