Florida execution called off after DeSantis withdraws death warrant for first time

Governor halts execution of William Lee Thompson, after Christa Pike survived failed lethal injections Ron DeSantis cancelled a planned execution in the state on Friday, days before a 74-year-old man was due to be killed by lethal injection. The move – the first time Florida’s governor has withdrawn a death warrant in his nearly eight years in office – comes just over a week after the botched execution of Christa Pike in Tennessee. Continue reading...

Adam Gabbatt and agencies · Fri, Oct 9, 2026, 10:32 AM
US news | The Guardian

Florida execution called off after DeSantis withdraws death warrant for first time

Governor halts execution of William Lee Thompson, after Christa Pike survived failed lethal injections

Ron DeSantis cancelled a planned execution in the state on Friday, days before a 74-year-old man was due to be killed by lethal injection.

The move – the first time Florida’s governor has withdrawn a death warrant in his nearly eight years in office – comes just over a week after the botched execution of Christa Pike in Tennessee.

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