Last night, Florida executed Kayle Bates (Maud Dib Al Sharif Qu’un), a 67-year-old Black Muslim veteran who spent more than four decades on death row. Kayle’s case was poisoned by racial bias, ineffective counsel, and the denial of basic constitutional rights.
No Floridians woke up safer this morning, but many woke up grieving. Please take a moment to read and share our statement on Kayle’s execution.
Kayle’s death was not inevitable. It was a choice. And unless we act, Florida will make the same choice again on August 28, when it plans to execute Curtis Windom.
The Injustice of Curtis Windom’s Case
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has underscored Curtis Windom’s case as emblematic of Florida’s broken and reckless use of the death penalty. In a brief filed in support of Kayle, SLPC notes that, in Curtis’ case, “the surviving family members of those killed have repeatedly opposed his execution and asked the State not to carry it out.”
More troubling is how Curtis’ warrant was signed in the first place. Governor DeSantis’ decision to sign Curtis Windom’s death warrant was retaliatory, intended as political retribution against Kayle for exercising his constitutional protections, and meant to intimidate others on Florida’s death row from doing the same. The filing makes clear that DeSantis issued Windom’s warrant to refute Mr. Bates’ claims pointing out racial discrimination in the warrant selection process. This means that in Florida death warrants are wielded not just as instruments of punishment but also as political tools. As Kayle’s attorneys aptly stated, Governor DeSantis “is wearing his guilt on his shoulders.”
The tragedy of Curtis’ execution does not stop there. Curtis’ trial lawyer was not qualified to handle a capital case. He was disbarred and imprisoned after several drug and alcohol-related arrests. He had no business representing Curtis and his performance was shockingly inadequate.
Perhaps most troubling is that members from all three of the victims’ families (Johnnie Lee, Valerie Davis, and Mary Lubin) have long opposed his execution, and filed over a dozen letters in support of clemency for Curtis in 2013. His daughter, Curtisia, has long opposed her father’s execution, despite also being the daughter and granddaughter of two victims.
Read all of the letters. Their voices make clear what Florida’s death penalty ignores: executions deepen cycles of loss rather than heal them. Here are some highlights:
“I am the eldest child of the late Valerie Davis and the eldest grandchild of Mary Reeves. It has been over 20 years since the murders of my mother and grandmother and I do not feel that an execution for Curtis [is] necessary… My sister was only 9 months old when the incidents happened and I would not want her to lose her father… I have forgiven Curtis along with my siblings and we feel that everyone deserves a second chance.” — Eldest Child of Valerie Davis / Eldest Grandchild of Mary Reeves
“Curtis Windom is my uncle. His life is valuable to me and my family. His death sentence would cause more hurt and more loss to us. I pray that his life be spared.” — Nephew of Mary Reeves, Cousin of Valerie Davis
“I am Curtis’ sister, and I know my brother is not the same man he was 20 years ago. He has found God and changed his life. To take his life now would not bring peace to anyone. Please spare my brother.” — Sister of Curtis Windom
Also as part of the 2013 clemency effort, impacted family members submitted video testimony. Curtisia shares the pain of losing both her mother and grandmother at a young age, and the devastating loss she would endure again if the State executes her father. Jeremy Lee, son of Johnnie Lee, also appeared in the video. He makes clear that he and members of his family also disagree with Curtis’ death sentence and do not wish to see it carried out. Please watch and share this powerful video.
Take action for Curtis: sign this petition and send a message to Governor DeSantis, urging him to stop this execution.
David Pittman Scheduled for Execution September 17
As Florida accelerates its unprecedented pace of executions, Curtis Windom is not the only person with a warrant hanging over him. David Pittman, a person with intellectual disability who had woefully inadequate trial counsel, is also facing execution. His story underscores the pattern we are continuing to see: Florida rushing to kill, even when fairness and justice demand restraint. Please sign his petition now.
Unless we keep speaking out, more names will be added to this list before the year is over. Florida has already executed ten people this year alone. Each time, the Governor insists this is “justice.” But when families say don’t kill in our name, it becomes even more clear that what DeSantis calls “justice” is nothing more than cruelty dressed up in hypocrisy.
Onward,
The FADP Team