Florida Double Execution
Florida Set for First Double Execution Since 1964, Two Inmates Scheduled for July 28
Anonymous
Florida executed two men by lethal injection on July 28, marking the first time since 1964 that the state put two inmates to death on the same day, according to Palm Beach Post. The executions took place at Florida State Prison and pushed Florida's total number of executions in 2026 to 11 and 12.
The two men were James Duckett, a former Mascotte police officer convicted of kidnapping, raping, and murdering 11-year-old Teresa Mae McAbee in 1987, and Dominick Occhicone, 80, convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend's parents in 1986, TC Palm reported.
James Duckett: The Ex-Cop Who Killed a Child
James Duckett was a police officer in Mascotte, Florida when he committed his crime. In 1987, he kidnapped, raped, and murdered Teresa Mae McAbee, who was just 11 years old. The case drew widespread outrage because Duckett was a sworn law enforcement officer trusted to protect the public, according to Daily Commercial.
Duckett spent nearly four decades on death row before his execution date was set for July 28. His case was one of the most closely watched in Florida's recent history of capital punishment, Jacksonville.com reported.
Dominick Occhicone Killed His Ex-Girlfriend's Parents
Dominick Occhicone was 80 years old at the time of his execution. He was convicted of murdering the parents of his ex-girlfriend, Anita Gerrety, in 1986. The killings were tied to a personal dispute after his romantic relationship ended, according to Herald Tribune.
Occhicone was among the oldest inmates on Florida's death row. His age made his case notable, though courts declined to block the execution, St. Augustine Record reported.
First Florida Double Execution in Over 60 Years
Florida last executed two inmates on the same day in 1964. That makes July 28 a rare and historic moment in the state's use of the death penalty. Both men were put to death by lethal injection at Florida State Prison, according to News-Journal Online.
Florida has been one of the most active states in carrying out executions in 2026. The two July 28 executions brought the state's yearly total to 12, a pace that outstrips most other states, Palm Beach Daily News reported.
Supreme Court Stayed Out, Executions Moved Forward
Both men had asked the U.S. Supreme Court to grant a stay of execution, which would have paused their deaths while legal challenges were reviewed. The Court did not act to stop either execution, clearing the way for both to proceed as scheduled, according to TC Palm.
The denial of stays meant Florida moved forward without interruption. Legal teams for both men had argued various appeals over the years, but no court stepped in at the final hour, Palm Beach Post reported.
Sentiment
NeutralNEGATIVENEUTRALPOSITIVE
Publishers
8
Articles
7
Reach
8
A
AnonymousAuthor
