Florida carries out 1st double execution in more than 6 decades

Key Points:

• Florida conducted its first double execution in over 60 years on July 28, executing James Duckett and Dominick Occhicone within five hours, marking a significant increase in the state's use of the death penalty under Gov. Ron DeSantis.
• James Duckett, a former police officer, was executed for the 1987 rape and murder of 11-year-old Teresa Mae McAbee, a case that involved decades of delays and inconclusive DNA testing before his execution.
• Dominick Occhicone, 80 years old at the time of execution, became Florida's oldest executed inmate for the 1986 murders of his ex-fiancée's parents, highlighting Florida's trend of executing elderly prisoners more than any other state.
• Since January 2025, Florida has accounted for 63% of U.S. executions, driven by DeSantis' aggressive policies including expanded death penalty laws and new execution methods, sparking criticism from opponents who accuse the governor of political motivations.
• Victims' families expressed relief and closure following the executions, while critics argue the rapid pace and handling of the death penalty in Florida overlook concerns about justice and the impact on prison staff.