Critical Michael Bell Update
Michael Bell is scheduled to be executed in Florida on Tuesday, July 15 at 6 pm. This week, his attorneys filed a successive post-conviction motion in the circuit court and today, the court granted him an evidentiary hearing on one of his claims. The hearing is set for Monday, June 23 at 9 am. It is the first such hearing granted for someone facing imminent execution in Florida since at least 2019.
The evidentiary hearing will focus on newly discovered evidence. A key state witness has come forward and said that he did not actually “see” the murder outside as he testified; he only heard shots from inside. He revealed that he was coached by a detective on what to say, and given favors including releases from jail in exchange for his false testimony. Another witness states he was also coerced by the same detective as well as the prosecutor, who instructed him on what to say at trial in exchange for help with his own case.
Alarmingly, these tactics mirror misconduct recently uncovered in Kenneth Hartley’s case, which was handled by the same detectives and prosecutor.
Michael’s lawyers also asked to present evidence of his horrific childhood and the fact that he was sent to the infamous Dozier School for Boys, where he was sexually assaulted by a guard and forced to participate in a “fight club” for the entertainment of staff. The Florida Legislature passed a compensation bill in 2024 acknowledging the trauma inflicted at the Dozier School for Boys and authorizing compensation for the survivors. And yet, at least 29 former Dozier students have ended up on Florida’s death row since 1976, including Loran Cole, who Governor DeSantis selected for execution shortly after signing that very legislation last year.
The State of Florida is on the verge of executing another person whose conviction was likely secured through false testimony and racial bias. Governor DeSantis has ordered another execution of someone who unequivocally suffered at the hands of the State while at the Dozier School. Monday’s hearing could be Michael’s last chance to present the truth before it’s too late. Please take a moment to sign and share his petition.
Stop the Execution of Tommy Gudinas
In just a few days, on Tuesday at 6 pm, the State of Florida plans to execute Tommy Gudinas, a man whose life has been shaped by profound trauma, brain damage, and severe mental illness.
We will be delivering your petition signatures, and your comments, to Governor DeSantis and the Florida Board of Executive Clemency. If you have not yet done so, please sign his petition and share it with as many people as possible. Then, send a message to Governor DeSantis and tell him to put a stop to this.
Webinar with Death Penalty Focus: Grief, Rage, and Strength
Please join us Thursday, June 26 at 3 pm for a very special webinar hosted by our friends at Death Penalty Focus. FADP’s Executive Director Maria DeLiberato and Communications Director Bridget Maloney will join DPF Board President Mike Farrell to discuss our urgent fight to stop Florida’s record-breaking pace of executions and the recent expansion of the death penalty to non-homicide cases—despite clear constitutional concerns.