Key facts
- Florida is scheduled to execute James Duckett and Dominick Occhicone on July 28.
- This is the first time Florida has planned two executions on the same day since 1964.
- Duckett was convicted of raping and drowning an 11-year-old girl in 1987.
- Occhicone was convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend's parents in 1986.
- Duckett's execution was previously stayed for DNA testing, which did not exonerate him.
- Gov. Ron DeSantis has overseen a significant number of executions during his tenure.
Florida is preparing to execute two death row inmates on the same day, July 28, a rare occurrence not seen in over 60 years. James Duckett, 68, convicted of raping and drowning an 11-year-old girl in 1987, is scheduled to die at noon. Dominick Occhicone, 80, convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend's parents in 1986, is scheduled for execution at 6 p.m. on the same day.
Duckett's execution had previously been stayed in February to allow for DNA testing of old evidence. The results were inconclusive, neither exonerating him nor definitively linking him to the crime, leading to the stay being lifted. His attorney stated that Duckett maintains his innocence and criticized the state's handling of the evidence.
Occhicone would become the state's oldest inmate to be executed. Florida has executed 10 inmates so far this year, and Duckett and Occhicone would be the 11th and 12th if their executions proceed as scheduled. Governor Ron DeSantis has overseen a significant number of executions during his term, aiming to bring justice to victims' families.