Michael “Mike” Bell is scheduled to be executed in Florida on Tuesday, July 15 at 6 pm. Earlier today, the Florida Supreme Court denied his claims, despite deeply troubling allegations of witness coercion, suppressed evidence, and prosecutorial misconduct. The Court’s ruling hinged on strict procedural rules and treated witness recantations as unreliable.
The Court acknowledged that witnesses described being threatened by police and prosecutors, including threats of jail time, loss of children, and physical intimidation; still, these claims were brushed off as insufficient to prove misconduct. The ruling fails to acknowledge that Florida’s system prioritizes finality over truth, especially once a warrant is signed. Successive motions are almost always denied, regardless of merit, due to procedural bars.
Now is the time to show up. Your voice, your strength, and your courage are needed more than ever. Please sign and share his petition now. And then tell Governor DeSantis, who has the sole authority to stop this execution, to stop the unnecessary execution of Mike Bell. Once you’ve sent a message, call his office at 850.717.9210.
If Mike’s execution proceeds next Thursday, we will be at Florida State Prison for our vigil beginning at 5 pm, and advocates across the state will also hold vigils and protests. Join them in person or virtually to recognize Mike’s humanity. Find more information on our website.
Edward ‘Zak’ Zakrzewski
Air Force Veteran Edward ‘Zak’ Zakrzewski is scheduled to be executed in Florida on Tuesday, July 31 at 6 pm for the murders of Sylvia, Edward, and Anna Zakrzewski. He was serving on active duty at the time of the crime.
Zak’s death sentences were the product of two simple majority votes (7-5 each) plus a judge’s override of a jury’s life verdict. In no other state in the nation, including under Florida’s current law, would he even be eligible for execution. Sign this petition and urge Governor DeSantis to stop Zak’s execution.
Florida Faith Leaders Call For Moratorium
Earlier today, Florida faith leaders gathered in Tallahassee for a press conference before delivering a letter to Governor DeSantis calling for a moratorium on executions. The letter, signed by over 100 ordained and lay faith leaders from across the state, urges the Governor to “stop all executions in Florida and work toward a justice system that reflects the moral leadership our communities expect and deserve.”
Demetrius Minor, a pastor at Tampa Life Church in Tampa, summarized their plea well when he said, “Governor DeSantis, we are calling on you today as people of faith across denominations, across political lines, across this great state, to stop. To pause. To allow your conscience, and not just your calendar, to lead. We ask you to declare a moratorium on executions in Florida… Because mercy is not weakness. Accountability is not annihilation. And the Gospel we preach calls us not to throw people away, but to affirm that every person, no matter how far they have fallen, is still made in the image of God.”
We hope and pray that Governor DeSantis takes these messages to heart. Whether he does or not, we know this killing spree won’t stop unless we keep pushing back — raising our voices, resisting injustice, and demanding compassion over cruelty.
Onward,
FADP Team
P.S. Our work depends on the support of people like you. If you believe in ending executions and building a justice system rooted in dignity, please donate today. Every gift matters, and we urgently need your help to keep fighting.