Despite the fervent objections of the family members of the victims and international pressure from the Catholic Community of Sant’Egidio in Rome, in little over 48 hours, on Thursday at 6 pm ET, the State of Florida plans to conduct its 11th execution this year and kill Curtis Windom.
Curtis’ case is emblematic of Florida’s reckless use of capital punishment:
Political Retribution: Governor DeSantis signed Curtis’ warrant as retaliation. It was political retribution meant to silence those on Florida’s death row who challenge racial bias and injustice. After Kayle Bates pointed out the racial disparity of victims in the warrant selection process, just two hours later Governor DeSantis signed Curtis’s warrant. Curtis was convicted of killing three Black victims. Shockingly, the State used the Windom warrant signing to pad its statistics and try to undermine the objective data set forth by Mr. Bates.
The State pointed to the fact that five of the 30 victims connected to the 21 death warrants signed by Governor DeSantis are Black (approximately 16%) as “exceptionally strong proof of non-discrimination.” The State notes that this is slightly greater than the Black population of Florida (15%) but again fails to acknowledge that — but for the retaliatory signing of the Windom warrant — there would only be two Black victims (or 7%), which still supports the claim that the warrant selection process is infected with racial bias. To date, the courts have turned a blind eye to this injustice, but we know the truth.
Failed Representation: Curtis’ trial lawyer was unqualified, later disbarred, and even imprisoned after multiple drug and alcohol-related arrests. He should have never been allowed to represent someone in a capital case.
Perhaps most devastating of all… the family members of the victims oppose this execution: The surviving family members of the people killed have repeatedly asked the State not to carry out this execution. In 2013, they filed over a dozen clemency letters. They know another killing will not bring healing. Members from all three victim families — Johnnie Lee, Valerie Davis, and Mary Lubin — oppose this execution. Curtis’ daughter, Curtisia, who lost her mother and grandmother in these tragedies, has long opposed her father’s execution.
With just 48 hours left, we need you to act: Sign and share the petition to Governor DeSantis, urging him to stop this execution. Please send him a message. Join us online, across from the prison, or across the state at a vigil or protest for Curtis on Thursday. Events usually begin at 5 pm ET. Visit our website for more information.
Tonight’s special edition of The Forecast — a vital space where advocates from across the country come together to share updates, strategies, and action opportunities — could not come at a more urgent moment. We encourage you to join the conversation this evening at 8 pm ET. Tonight’s episode will include voices from Florida alongside colleagues in Alabama, Texas, and Utah.
David Pittman Update
David Pittman, a person with intellectual disability, should be categorically exempt from execution. However, because of inaccurate science and harsh procedural rules, David was never given an opportunity to demonstrate to the Court that he is ineligible for execution. Stay with us for more updates, and sign his petition now.
Executions deepen cycles of loss. They do not heal. Florida should not kill in the name of families who have asked for mercy.
Onward,
The FADP Team
P.S. If you can, please consider donating to support the work we do to end the death penalty in Florida, support victims and families across the state, and ensure the lawmakers hear that these senseless killings are not in our name.