On Thursday, Florida plans to execute Dusty Ray Spencer for the 1992 murder of his wife, Karen Spencer. We believe that Karen’s death was a devastating act of domestic violence that forever changed the lives of those who loved her, and that killing Dusty will do nothing to protect society or right a wrong. We’ve included several action items for you below. He is a 74-year-old Marine Corps veteran who served heroically during the Vietnam Era. If executed, he will be the 10th veteran executed under Gov. DeSantis, and the oldest person ever executed in Florida. His case is currently before the U.S. Supreme Court, and Gov. DeSantis has the authority to intervene at any time.
We’ll be delivering your petitions to the Florida Capitol on Thursday morning, but there’s still time for you to add your signature. More importantly, you can pick up the phone and ensure that his staff hears directly from you. Tell them that another execution protects no one, and that you want to see Gov. DeSantis put his pro-life values into action by sparing Dusty’s life.
Sign the Petition to Spare Dusty’s Life
Send a Message to Gov. DeSantis
Do you remember Warden Ron McAndrew? He oversaw Florida’s last three electric chair executions, and was forever changed from the experience. Last year, he penned an op-ed about Florida’s relentless killing spree and the evidence that prison staff had failed to follow the State’s lethal injection protocol, and has been an essential voice in the fight to end the death penalty.
In advance of Dusty Spencer’s execution, he’s back with a powerful message through our partner Death Penalty Action. Please take a moment to share it through Facebook and Instagram.
Dennis Sochor: Execution on July 14
Dennis “Denny” Sochor’s execution is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14. Denny was convicted of the 1992 murder of Patricia Gifford, though there are serious issues with the State’s theory of the case. Because Ms. Gifford’s body was never found, the State depended heavily on the testimony of Denny’s brother, Gary. Gary never denied being present the night of the crime, though stated that he had gotten into his truck before the murder occurred. He was never charged, and the State disputes Gary’s later testimony that he was offered immunity. If your loved one were murdered, wouldn’t you want to know what happened?
“The only two people who really knew anything about this case [are] Gary Sochor and Dennis Sochor.”
— Excerpt from the closing argument of Dennis Sochor’s trial
James Duckett: A Quick Update
Many of you have been closely following the case of James “Jim” Duckett, who was originally scheduled for execution on March 31.
On June 22, a Lake County judge denied Mr. Duckett’s request for a hearing on the inconclusive DNA testing completed earlier this year. This is especially frustrating because the defense warned from the beginning that the State’s chosen testing method could produce results that could not be definitively interpreted — and that’s exactly what happened.
Importantly, Mr. Duckett does not currently have an execution date, and the Florida Supreme Court has not yet ruled on the State’s request to lift his stay of execution. We will continue to keep you updated as the case develops.
Melanie Verdecia of Tracking Florida’s Death Penalty has done an exceptional job following the legal aspects of this case. Please subscribe if you haven’t already. In future updates, we’ll try to feature works of several journalists who have been covering this very complicated case — sometimes for decades!
Despite the steady flow of executions, we have hope. Through our work and the work of our partners, we know that everyday Floridians reject the death penalty and want to see it ended. We’re working to make that a reality. Thanks for sticking with us.
Onward,
The FADP Team
P.S. — If you’re able to financially support our advocacy efforts for Dusty, Dennis, Jim, and everyone else facing execution in Florida, please consider donating to FADP. We’ll end the death penalty, but we need all the help we can get!