Governor DeSantis has signed the fourth death warrant of 2023, this time for Duane Owen. The execution is set for Thursday, June 15, at 6 pm ET. If the execution proceeds, it will be the fourth execution of this year, and the 103rd in Florida.

Duane was sent to death row at the age of 23. Duane was born to alcoholic parents. His mother died of cancer when Duane was 11 years old, and shortly afterward, his father committed suicide, leaving Duane without any parents or relatives to care for him. Duane was sent to an orphanage where he was sexually and physically abused. He was forced to have sex with a 35-year-old childcare director, who was supposed to protect him.

Two jurors in both of his trials found this mitigation compelling and voted for Duane to be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Please sign the petition urging Governor DeSantis and the Executive Clemency Board to stay the execution. For our Faith Leaders, please sign this letter urging the same.

If the execution proceeds, please join us at Florida State Prison on the day of the execution, or at one of the statewide vigils and protests being held across the state.

Sign the Petition

Faith Leader Sign-on Letter

Death Penalty Action Petition

Catholic Mobilizing Network Action

Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops Action

The Horrific Childhood of Duane Owen

Duane Owen’s Mental Health History: Evidence from 1999

4-part series on the history of Duane Owen’s mental illness from Tracking Florida’s Death Penalty can be found at the links below. 

Part I: https://fladeathpenalty.substack.com/p/history-of-duane-owens-mental-illness

Part II: https://fladeathpenalty.substack.com/p/history-of-duane-owens-mental-illness-b04

Part III: https://fladeathpenalty.substack.com/p/history-of-duane-owens-mental-illness-dfe

Part IV: https://open.substack.com/pub/fladeathpenalty/p/history-of-duane-owens-mental-illness-70f?r=248zyf&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web