Tonight, we, the people of the State of Florida killed decorated Air Force Veteran TSgt. Edward ‘Zak’ Zakrzewski. In no other state in the nation, including under Florida’s current law, would Zak even qualify for execution. Nearly half of Zak’s capital jury believed that the tragic murders of his family were heavily mitigated by his exemplary military service and his deep mental anguish at the time of the crime. 5 of his jurors wanted to spare his life for two of the murders, and 6 jurors voted to sentence him to life without parole for the third. Zak was incredibly remorseful for his crimes, he pled guilty without any sort of plea agreement from the state, and only faced a jury for sentencing.
While his crimes were horrific, we are all worth more than the worst thing we ever did. Zak has shown as much through his actions after his crime. Since his death was ordered, we have received countless messages from people all over the country and world who knew and loved Zak. One penpal shared how, when the man lost his life partner, Zak comforted him, even sending poetry and art to his loved ones. During Zak’s 30 years on death row, he has been a friend to his neighbors, and a confidante to younger inmates adjusting to life in prison. His neighbors on death row called him “Zen Zak.” One of his death row neighbors sent him a message after his warrant was signed, thanking Zak for the kindness he had shown him over the years, concluding: “You’re as much my Brother as anyone sharing DNA with me is, and I love you just as much.”
Governor Ron DeSantis now holds the dishonorable distinction of executing more people in one year than any prior governor in Florida’s history. There have been many media inquiries about the reasons for the unrelenting number and pace of these executions, all asking one thing – why now? And the response from the administration? Deafening silence. This killing spree has taken place on a desolate road in the middle of nowhere, far from the Governor’s Mansion, without rhyme or reason.
When an execution warrant is signed, the prisoner is immediately loaded into a van and driven down the road to Florida State Prison. They get to breathe the open air for the final time as they are taken to the “death watch” cell where they will spend the last 30 days of their life. Like a perverse assembly line of murder, the day after an execution, the next person is moved up one cell, inching closer to the death chamber, making room for the next occupant. This conveyor belt of killing serves no legitimate purpose other than political theater.
The people of the State of Florida deserve better than executions shrouded in silence and secrecy. Carrying out executions says more about the society that is doing the killing rather than the people being executed. Someday, all Floridians will look back on these dark times with deep shame and regret. But today, we are complicit. Our communities are no more safe than they were before this killing spree started. We are just cold, calculating, and cruel.
###