STARKE, Fla. — Florida became the first state in nearly a decade to carry out two executions on a single Tuesday, marking a significant escalation in capital punishment under Governor Ron DeSantis. The state executed James Aren Duckett and Dominick Anthony Occhicone hours apart at the Florida State Prison near Starke. This event marks the first time since 2017 that a U.S. state has scheduled two executions within such a short window, with Arkansas previously holding this distinction by executing two men three hours apart.
Back-to-Back Executions in Central Florida
The day began earlier when Duckett, a former police officer convicted of killing a young girl, received his lethal injection. Nearly five hours later, the state proceeded with Occhicone’s execution at 6:13 p.m. The 80-year-old was pronounced dead following a three-drug injection in the same death chamber. This rapid succession of executions highlights DeSantis's authority under Florida law to set specific dates for lethal injections.
Final Words and Apologies
Dominick Anthony Occhicone, who was convicted of fatally shooting his ex-girlfriend’s parents in June 1986, offered final words before the injection began. He thanked Christian brothers who had visited him over the years and apologized to both the victims' families and his own family for the pain caused. "Sorry for all the hurt I caused," Occhicone said during the proceedings at Florida State Prison near Starke. The warden confirmed death after several minutes of deep breathing slowed, shaking the inmate without response.
DeSantis Increases Execution Pace
Governor DeSantis has actively stepped up executions over the last 18 months, describing them as a necessary measure for justice in his final term. He stated that too many families have waited too long to see resolution for their losses. While nationwide use of the death penalty had been declining for two decades prior to this shift, Florida's increased pace has caused those numbers to tick upward recently.
Protests and Legal Context
The executions followed a week in which the Florida Supreme Court denied appeals for both men. Demonstrations took place outside the Lake County Courthouse in Tavares on Tuesday, July 28, where protesters held signs against capital punishment. Law enforcement vehicles were also present at the state prison facility as preparations continued.
