Last night, as many of us feared, Governor DeSantis signed another death warrant.
Eighty-year-old Dominick Occhicone is scheduled to be executed on Tuesday, July 28. He was convicted and sentenced to death by a 7–5 jury vote for the 1986 murder of Martha Artzner in Pasco County. He also received a life sentence for the murder of Raymond Artzner.
We grieve for Martha and Raymond, and for everyone who has carried the weight of their deaths for more than four decades. Nothing — including an execution — can undo the impact of that loss.
We’ll share more information about Dominick soon. We’ve already heard from many of you who know and love him (and we always welcome more of that from friends, family, penpals, and others who know him!). In the meantime, please use your voice by signing the petition and spreading the world on social media.
Rest in Peace, Lance Corporal Spencer
Last night, the State extinguished the life of Lance Corporal Dusty Ray Spencer (U.S.M.C.). Dusty was 74 years old, deeply remorseful for his senseless actions and the harm he had caused, and, by all accounts, a changed man. Our post-execution statement details his life and his unconstitutional death sentence, and I hope you’ll take a few minutes to read it.
More importantly, though, I hope you’ll read Dusty’s own words penned from death watch and mailed to a friend (below) and shared with his spiritual advisor (via Facebook). They capture him — in all of his human complexity — far better than those of us at FADP could.
Dennis Sochor, another elderly veteran, is scheduled for execution on July 14. Now is the time to start making plans to attend or host a vigil in your area. Hosting is easier than you’d think, and it’s one of the best ways to raise awareness of the death penalty and grow opposition across the state. Just email us at [email protected] to get started.
And, If you haven’t already, please take action for Dennis here. Your voices keep this from becoming normalized.
Help Us Organize, Educate, Support, Mobilize, Respond, and Build
This is an all-hands-on-deck year. Florida is carrying out executions at a pace we have never seen before, and our small team is working around the clock to respond to every death warrant while building the long-term movement to end capital punishment.
We believe in action, not despair.
Your gift today makes that action possible. It helps us organize statewide vigils and advocacy efforts, educatelawmakers and the public, support families and volunteers, mobilize thousands of Floridians to contact decision-makers, respond immediately when a new execution is scheduled, and build the grassroots movement that will one day end the death penalty in Florida.
Every donation helps turn outrage into action—and brings us one step closer to a Florida where no one is executed in our name. You can chip in at the link below, or via mail at P.O. Box 82943 Tampa, FL 33682 (EIN: 20-8639660). Thank you, truly.
Support an All-Hands-On-Deck Year
Despite the sadness, we have some exciting news coming in the weeks ahead. Keep an eye out for more from us soon. Thanks for sticking with us.
Onward,
Grace Hanna
FADP Executive Director