Archive · 29 Jul 2026
Florida Executes Two Inmates in One Day
On Tuesday, Florida executed two inmates on the same day for the first time in nearly a decade.
The first execution was of James Aren Duckett, a 68-year-old former police officer who was convicted of raping and murdering an 11-year-old girl in 1987.
Duckett was given a lethal injection at Florida State Prison near Starke and was pronounced dead at 1:19 PM.
The second execution was of an 80-year-old death row inmate, also at Florida State Prison.
Republican Governor Ron DeSantis authorized both executions, making Florida's death chamber the busiest in the country as he approaches the end of his final term.
Florida executed two inmates on the same day for the first time in nearly a decade.
The first execution was of James Aren Duckett, a 68-year-old former police officer convicted of raping and murdering an 11-year-old girl in 1987.
Duckett was given a lethal injection at Florida State Prison near Starke and was pronounced dead at 1:19 PM.
The second execution was of an 80-year-old death row inmate, also at Florida State Prison.
Republican Governor Ron DeSantis authorized both executions, making Florida's death chamber the busiest in the country.
- Who
- James Aren Duckett, a former police officer, and an 80-year-old death row inmate
- What
- Executions of two inmates on the same day
- When
- Tuesday
- Where
- Florida State Prison near Starke
- Why
- Both inmates were convicted of serious crimes; Duckett was convicted of raping and murdering an 11-year-old girl in 1987.
Death Penalty Supporters
Death Penalty Opponents
Purpose of Execution
Death Penalty Supporters
Supporters argue that the executions serve as justice for the victims and their families, and act as a deterrent for future crimes.
Death Penalty Opponents
Opponents believe that the death penalty is inhumane and does not effectively deter crime, and that life imprisonment is a more appropriate punishment.
- Date of Executions
- Tuesday
- First Execution Time
- 1:19 PM
- First Inmate Executed
- James Aren Duckett
- Age of First Inmate
- 68
- Crime Committed by First Inmate
- Rape and murder of 11-year-old Teresa McAbee
- Year of Crime
- 1987
- Governor Authorizing Executions
- Ron DeSantis
- Location of Executions
- Florida State Prison near Starke