Florida to carry out 18th execution this year under Gov. DeSantis

Florida is scheduled to carry out its 18th execution of the year, continuing an aggressive use of the death penalty under Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, according to WPLG Local 10.

The execution involves William Reaves, 77, who was convicted of first-degree murder for the 1986 shooting of Indian River County Deputy Richard Raczkowski, as reported by the Daily Gazette.

Reaves is set to receive a lethal injection at Florida State Prison near Starke, with the procedure scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Daily Gazette.

This execution would mark Florida’s eighth execution of an inmate over 70 years old this year, highlighting the aging population on death row in the state, which has outpaced the rest of the country in executions, the Daily Gazette noted.

Last year, Florida set a record with 19 executions in a single year. If this execution and another planned for November proceed, Florida will tie that record, according to WFMZ.

Governor DeSantis has stated his goal is to bring justice to families of victims who have waited decades for death sentences to be carried out, as reported by the Daily Gazette.