Michael Zack is set to be executed on Tuesday, October 3 at 6 p.m. – one week from today – In Our Name. Time is running out, but Michael has remaining appeals to the United States Supreme Court. His lawyers are fighting to show that Florida’s clemency procedure is woefully inadequate and that Michael’s intellectual disability, his fetal alcohol syndrome, and his corresponding brain damage should make him categorically exempt from execution.
We are asking Governor DeSantis and the Florida Board of Executive Clemency to stay Michael’s execution and grant clemency.
So take action now. Make your voices heard. Sign the petition, and if you are a faith leader, add your name to this letter. Call Governor DeSantis’ office at (850) 717-9337 and politely request that they stay Michael’s execution and grant clemency, sentencing Michael to life without the possibility of parole. Plan to join us for one of our vigils and protests, including one at Florida State Prison across from the Death Chamber, a virtual vigil, and many others across the state.
On another note, we have had the solemn experience of getting to know Michael’s family as they have been visiting him throughout this week. They, like us, recognize the irreparable harm that Michael has caused the families of Ms. Smith and Ms. Rosillo, but they also recognize, in part because of the horrific murder of their own mother, that revenge will not make the deep sense of loss and grief go away. That pain will remain with both families long after this execution is complete.
In what may be the last week of Michael’s life, we ask you to keep Michael, his family, his spiritual advisor, and his attorneys in your thoughts. And as always, we ask you to remember Michael’s victims and their families, as this execution undoubtedly stirs up decades of trauma and pain.
Finally, please take a moment to read and share this excellent piece in the Catholic Review from Jean Gonzalez, who notes that we are on the cusp of our sixth execution in 222 days, which averages one every 37 days. With Michael’s state-sponsored killing, Florida will lead the nation in executions this year.
I’ve asked you before and I’ll ask you again – Is this who we want to be?
Onward,
Maria DeLiberato
FADP Executive Director
P.S. Please consider a gift of $2, $22, $222, or more so we can continue to speak out against executions and provide support for people directly harmed by the death penalty.