October 8, 2026

TALLAHASSEE, FL — Gov. Ron DeSantis has withdrawn the death warrant for William Lee Thompson, previously scheduled for execution on Tuesday, October 13 at 6:00 p.m.

Thompson’s attorneys challenged his competency to be executed, and he underwent an evaluation last week. Officials never released the results. Attorneys also filed a federal lawsuit seeking care for his life-threatening medical conditions. More than 120 medical professionals publicly condemned his treatment, adding to mounting public pressure ahead of the withdrawal. In a letter to the warden of Florida State Prison, Gov. DeSantis offered no explanation for his decision.

Grace Hanna, executive director of Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty said, “Withdrawing the death warrant for William Thompson was the correct decision. Mr. Thompson is gravely ill, not competent, and intellectually disabled. His execution would have been an abject violation of the Eighth Amendment and an affront to human dignity.”

James Robertson, sentenced to death for the 2008 murder of Frank Hart, is still scheduled for execution at 12:00pm on Tuesday, October 13.