Florida Governor Cancels Execution Amid Dementia Fears
Ron DeSantis halts death warrant for inmate William Lee Thompson, scheduled for October 13, following concerns about his cognitive state.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has canceled the execution of death row inmate William Lee Thompson, who was scheduled to be put to death on October 13. The governor withdrew the death warrant late Thursday without providing a specific reason, the Florida Tribune reported.
The decision comes after a forensic neuropsychologist determined that Thompson, 74, exhibited a "profound level" of cognitive impairment. State and federal law prohibit the execution of individuals with intellectual disabilities.
According to the report, Thompson "did not recognize he had been sentenced to death and was unable to demonstrate meaningful insight into his present condition."
Thompson was convicted for the 1976 murder of 23-year-old Sally Ivester in Miami. Prosecutors stated that Thompson and Rocco James Surace beat Ivester with chains, burned her with cigarettes, and assaulted her. Ivester died from shock and internal injuries.
Both Thompson and Surace initially pleaded guilty and received death sentences. However, they were granted new trials after appeals. Thompson again pleaded guilty and was sentenced to death in 1978. Surace was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to 203 years in prison, dying in custody in 1993.
Thompson had been housed in a specialized unit for inmates awaiting execution. This unit is known for its highly restrictive conditions.