# Florida Signs 17th Death Warrant for Inmate William Lee Thompson
*Gov. Ron DeSantis schedules execution for Oct. 13, marking a significant milestone in the state's modern death penalty record.*

- Medio: Orlando Ledger News (https://orlandoledgernews.com)
- URL: https://orlandoledgernews.com/noticia/florida-signs-17th-death-warrant-for-inmate-william-lee-thompson
- Sección: World
- Autor: Orlando Ledger News Staff
- Publicado: 2026-09-14T07:10:03.767Z
> Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a death warrant for William Lee Thompson, scheduling execution for Oct. 13. This marks Florida's 17th execution under DeSantis this year.

## Las claves

- Gov. Ron DeSantis signs the 17th death warrant of 2026 for inmate William Lee Thompson
- Execution is scheduled for October 13 following a 1978 conviction for murder and kidnapping in Miami
- The state set a modern record with 19 executions in 2025, continuing an active capital punishment schedule

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed his 17th death warrant on Friday for death row inmate William Lee Thompson, scheduling the execution for October 13 following a conviction in 1978. The scheduled execution marks another significant step in Florida's active capital punishment calendar this year. Court documents detail that Thompson was convicted of the murder, kidnapping, and torture of Sally Ivester in a Miami motel room back in March 1976.

### A Long Legal History

The case against William Lee Thompson dates back to March 30, 1976. According to court records from that time, Thompson and an accomplice were in a motel room with Ivester when the abuse began after she was unsuccessful in obtaining money from her mother. Reports state that the men beat and tortured Ivester, pausing temporarily while she made a phone call for more funds.

After returning to the motel room, the abuse continued until it resulted in death. Court documents indicate that approximately 80% of Ivester's body was covered in deep bruises, cuts, and burns. Thompson was convicted of first-degree murder, kidnapping, and sexual battery on September 18, 1978. He was sentenced to death on August 25, 1980, after the Supreme Court of Florida affirmed his conviction earlier that year.

### Record-Breaking Execution Year

This warrant brings the total number of executions carried out in Florida under Gov. DeSantis to 17 for the current calendar year. The state set a modern record for executions in 2025, when DeSantis issued death warrants that ultimately led to 19 executions—the most in a single year during the state's modern death-penalty era. The previous high was eight executions, which occurred in 2018, a story we covered in [DeSantis Signs Death Warrant for Orlando’s 'Hog Trail Killer' as Executions Cont](/noticia/desantis-signs-death-warrant-for-orlandos-hog-trail-killer-as-executions-continu).

#### Upcoming Executions

The execution of William Lee Thompson follows closely on the heels of other recent capital cases. Daniel Conahan Jr., known as the "Hog Trail Killer," became the most recently executed inmate after being killed via lethal injection on September 10, marking the 15th execution in Florida this year, a story we covered in [DeSantis Signs Death Warrant for Orlando’s 'Hog Trail Killer' as Executions Cont](/noticia/desantis-signs-death-warrant-for-orlandos-hog-trail-killer-as-executions-continu).

Looking ahead, Curtis W. Beasley is scheduled to be executed next. DeSantis signed Beasley's death warrant on August 26, with an execution date set for September 29. Beasley was convicted of bludgeoning Carolyn Monfort to death inside her Polk County home in 1995, confirmed by [El País](https://elpais.com).

#### Death Row Conditions

Inmates on Florida's death row are authorized to socialize during dayroom and recreation activities. They have access to snacks, radios, and a 13-inch television without cable or air conditioning. On the day of execution, inmates may request a last meal with a nonalcoholic drink costing no more than $40.

The process concludes with the inmate's body being transported to the medical examiner's office in Alachua County. The identity of the private citizen who carries out the execution remains anonymous under state law, and they are paid $200 per execution.
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Fuente original: https://orlandoledgernews.com/noticia/florida-signs-17th-death-warrant-for-inmate-william-lee-thompson