Gov. DeSantis has signed the eleventh death warrant of 2025 and set an execution date for Curtis Windom. The execution is scheduled for Thursday, August 28 at 6 pm. Mr. Windom was sentenced to death for the 1992 murders of Johnnie Lee, Valerie Davis, and Mary Lubin. We acknowledge and honor the loss experienced by the families of these individuals. Still, we cannot honor the victims with more killings. Governor DeSantis must stop this execution.
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.