September 13, 2026
Dear friend,
On Thursday night, Daniel “Danny” Conahan was executed for the murder of Richard Montgomery. The story of Danny’s well-founded claim of innocence and the shocking police and prosecutorial misconduct that has shaped the narrative around this case is detailed in our full statement on the execution. I hope you’ll take the time to read it if you haven’t already.
You may have seen a lot about Danny in the news, and it’s likely that more will come out soon. First, please take it all with a grain of salt and remember what we wrote in our statement: [Victim-survivors] deserve truthful answers supported by evidence – not suspicions and suppositions repeated so often that they are eventually treated as proven facts.
Second, remember this: Danny was funny. He had a great laugh and loved ABBA. He joined the Navy and served his country during the Vietnam wind down — hardly a time people were signing up to wear the uniform. He made origami birthday hats for the men who lived near him on death row. In his final days, friends traveled from across Florida, across the country, and even across the world to see him. Danny built a life and deep friendships while imprisoned for a crime he maintained he did not commit. I’m honestly not sure I could have faced that with the warmth and humor he did.
At the vigil, I was grateful to stand alongside colleagues from across the country, including Emmjolee Mendoza Waters of Catholic Mobilizing Network and Sophia Har of the U.S. Campaign to End the Death Penalty. Florida’s pace of executions can feel overwhelming. Having people show up, stand with us, and help tell Danny’s story means a great deal. The U.S. Campaign shared this Instagram reel from the vigil and I hope you’ll take a look.
William Thompson (10/13)
Gov. DeSantis has signed a new death warrant for William “Bill” Thompson, setting his execution for Tuesday, October 13 at 6pm. Bill is intellectually disabled and in serious cognitive decline.
We will have more to share in the very near future. For now, please sign and share Bill’s petition to show your opposition to this unncessary act of state violence.
And, as always, if you know Bill, feel free to reach out to us. We’d love to hear from you.
Curtis Beasley (09/29)
Florida’s next execution is scheduled for Tuesday, September 29, at 6 p.m. Curtis Wilkie Beasley, Sr. was sentenced to death for the 1995 murder of Carolyn Monfort. He is now 77 years old and in serious physical and cognitive decline. He uses a wheelchair and needs help caring for himself. Florida is moving forward with his execution anyway.
Below are a few ways you can speak up for Curtis. Please also mark your calendar for a vigil or protest on September 29, if a court does not stop the execution.
Finally, please keep everyone fighting the death penalty in other states in your hearts this month. There are 8 executions scheduled in September (3 in Florida); and each case deserves attention. They are: Harold Gene Lucas (Florida, 09/01); Daniel Conahan (Florida, 09/10); Stacey Humphreys (Georgia, 09/16); LeJames Norman (Texas, 09/16); Jeffery Lee (Alabama, 09/17); Ker’Sean Olajuwa Ramey (Texas, 09/23); Curtis Beasley (Florida, 09/29); and Christa Pike (Tennessee, 09/30).
Onward,
Onward,
Grace Hanna
FADP Executive Director
P.S. – On Thursday, check out Does Every Life Really Mean Every Life?, a webinar from Catholic Mobilizing Network and Conservatives Concerned. We can’t wait to hear from friends from CMN, CC, and Archbishop Thomas Wenski of the Archdiocese of Miami!