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

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has withdrawn the death warrant for 74-year-old William Lee Thompson, marking the first time in his eight-year tenure he has taken such an action. Thompson, who was scheduled for execution on Tuesday for the 1976 murder and kidnapping of Sally Ivester, reportedly suffers from dementia and heart failure. While DeSantis did not explicitly state a reason for the withdrawal, the decision follows a court-ordered psychiatric evaluation and occurs amid heightened national scrutiny following a botched execution attempt in Tennessee. Thompson remains on death row, and a second scheduled Florida execution for James Robertson remains on track.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has withdrawn the death warrant for 74-year-old William Lee Thompson, marking the first time in his eight-year tenure he has taken such an action. Thompson, who was scheduled for execution on Tuesday for the 1976 murder and kidnapping of Sally Ivester, reportedly suffers from dementia and heart failure. While DeSantis did not explicitly state a reason for the withdrawal, the decision follows a court-ordered psychiatric evaluation and occurs amid heightened national scrutiny following a botched execution attempt in Tennessee. Thompson remains on death row, and a second scheduled Florida execution for James Robertson remains on track.