Governor DeSantis has signed the tenth death warrant this year for Kayle B. Bates (Maud Dib Al Sharif Qu’un). He is set to be executed on August 19 at 6 pm for the 1982 murder of Janet White. Kayle has long challenged his conviction and death sentence, including the denial of DNA testing, arguments about the fairness of his jury, his counsels’ effectiveness, and Florida’s arbitrary death penalty sentencing scheme.
As to the DNA testing, Justice Anstead dissented, stating clearly: “I cannot agree with the majority that Bates is not entitled to have DNA testing of certain evidence in order to bring more certainty to the sentencing process.” These claims remain unresolved amid procedural barriers. Florida must not carry out executions while serious legal questions remain.
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New Court Filings Reveal Retaliation, Secrecy, and Racial Bias in Florida’s Execution Process | FADP
Florida Death Row Prisoners Challenge Governor DeSantis’ Secretive Execution Decisions | Death Penalty Information Center
Veterans plead to Gov. DeSantis to halt executions of military veterans on state’s death row | WUSF / WLRN Public Media
‘Incompetent’ representation argued to halt execution of Florida man convicted of killing 3 people | WUSF / News Service of Florida
42 years on death row: West Palm Beach native scheduled for execution makes last-minute appeal | WPTV
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Includes comments from Gabrielle Wise-Brice, Bates’ cousin:
“I’ve been visiting him since I was a little girl… He always checks in on me… He’s just been a great person.”
“I’m just hoping that we can put a stop to this… pray that the court at least pauses what is scheduled.”