The last 36 hours have held more emotion than I can easily name — grief, anger, relief, hope, and a kind of quiet disbelief that all of these things can exist at once. I’m not someone who is usually at a loss for words, but I certainly am today.
An execution in Florida. An execution in Texas. A new warrant, which I’ll tell you about in a moment. A success in the Florida Supreme Court for Jim Duckett. And a fight to stop a dangerous federal rule expansion.
It’s a lot. I imagine many of you are feeling some version of that too.
This afternoon, Governor DeSantis signed a death warrant for Andrew Lukehart, convicted of the 1997 murder of Gabrielle Hanshaw. His execution is scheduled for June 1, 2026, at 6 p.m.
We will share more information soon. In the meantime, please take a moment to sign his petition. We will deliver petitions directly to the Governor’s Office — a physical representation of the vast number of people around the world who oppose this execution.
Stop the Execution of Andrew Lukehart
Rest in Peace, Erny
Last night, Florida executed James “Erny” Hitchcock — a 70-year-old man who maintained his innocence for nearly 50 years. Erny was the sixth person Florida executed in 2026, and the 34th person executed under the administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Much has already been said about the evidence in Erny’s case, and I hope you will take time to read our full statement, where we covered it in detail. But today, it feels just as important to remember who Erny was.
In his final moments, he did not speak about the case or the system that kept him imprisoned for decades before he was unceremoniously lifted from his wheelchair and strapped to a gurney. He did not express anger. Instead, he used his last words to thank the lawyer who stood beside him until the end: “I just want to say goodbye to my friend, Joshua. Thanks for all you’ve done.”
His attorney was seated in the front row. He raised his hand. Erny lifted his head, trying to see him one last time.
It’s hard to sit with that moment and not recognize the fullness of his humanity — a man capable of friendship, loyalty, and love. A man who learned he would die during Holy Week, and who turned 70 on Easter Sunday while sitting on death watch. That is who Florida executed.
And even as we grieve, the machinery of execution continues. The cell where Erny once sat is now occupied by a new man who has been told he has a month to live.
Richard Knight Faces Execution on May 21
Richard Knight is now scheduled to be executed on Thursday, May 21, at 6 p.m. His legal team is urgently seeking access to critical records, including investigative materials, forensic evidence, and communications surrounding the decision to move forward with his execution.
If you haven’t already, please sign the petition to stop Richard’s execution. We will share more details about his case next week.
Stop the Execution of Richard Knight
A Win for Jim Duckett
There is, at least, one measure of relief: the Florida Supreme Court has ruled that James Duckett must be given access to critical DNA evidence before his execution can proceed. The Court recognized that the process is not complete, and that further testing could still uncover the truth. The stay of execution remains in place, and Jim Duckett will live to continue fighting his case. We will share updates as they’re available.
This is what due process is meant to look like. But it wasn’t afforded to Erny, and the State of Florida is fighting with all its might to stop it from being afforded to Richard.
I was thinking about how Erny Hitchcock learned his final appeal had been denied while he was in a cell physically next to Jim Duckett. Ten minutes after that devastating news, Mr. Duckett learned that he had succeeded in winning the DNA analysis he needs to try to prove his innocence. One man faced his death, while another received what may have been the best news of his life. And still, next to them was Richard Knight, stuck in limbo as he waits to learn what will happen next with his case.
What a profound, damaging, and unnecessary moment. The death penalty debases us all.
Onward,
Grace Hanna
Executive Director