Florida carried out its first execution since a botched attempt in Tennessee in September, putting to death convicted murderer James Robertson on Tuesday. Officials stated that Mr Robertson, 63, was pronounced dead after receiving a series of lethal injections at a Florida state prison in Raiford.
A state corrections department spokesperson, Jordan Kirkland, confirmed at a news conference that the execution of James Robertson was carried out at 12:32 pm on Tuesday and took place "without incident." Mr Robertson was the 17th prisoner executed by the state in 2026.
Florida's use of the death penalty has faced increased scrutiny following the failed attempt by Tennessee authorities on 30 September to execute Christa Pike. Ms Pike was discharged from hospital and returned to prison 10 days after the attempt was abandoned.
A second execution scheduled for Tuesday was cancelled after Florida's governor, Ron DeSantis, withdrew the death warrant for William Lee Thompson, 74, on Friday. Mr Thompson remains on death row, and a new death warrant could still be signed.