Florida Executes Eighth Inmate Over 70 This Year as State Nears Record
Summary
Florida executed William Reaves, a 77-year-old inmate, marking the state's 18th execution in 2026 and nearing a record set last year. Reaves was convicted for the 1986 murder of a sheriff’s deputy and spent 34 years on death row before his lethal injection.Key Facts
- William Reaves, age 77, was executed on Tuesday at Florida State Prison.
- Florida has carried out 18 executions in 2026, close to last year’s record of 19 executions.
- Reaves was convicted of killing Indian River County Sheriff’s deputy Richard Raczkoski in 1986.
- This year, Florida executed eight inmates aged 70 or older.
- Reaves spent 34 years on death row before execution.
- Florida conducted 18 of the 32 executions in the U.S. in 2026.
- Reaves’ last appeals included challenges based on lethal injection protocols and his military service-related disability, but courts and Governor DeSantis declined to stop the execution.
- The issue of elderly inmates on death row raises questions about the length of appeals and the purpose of executing older prisoners.
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