Full Breakdown
Florida Executes David Pittman: A Record 12th Execution of 2025
9/18/2025, 11:56:05 AM
Execution Details and Background
David Joseph Pittman, aged 63, was executed by lethal injection on September 17, 2025, at Florida State Prison in Raiford. His execution marked the 12th in Florida this year, setting a new record for the state since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. Pittman was convicted in 1991 for the brutal murders of his estranged wife's family—Clarence and Barbara Knowles, both in their 50s, and their 21-year-old daughter, Bonnie Knowles—whom he stabbed to death before setting their house on fire in May 1990. The murders occurred amid a contentious divorce from Marie Pridgen, the Knowles' daughter, during which Pittman had made threats against the family.
Legal Proceedings and Appeals
Pittman's legal team mounted several appeals over the years, most recently arguing that he suffers from intellectual disabilities, citing an IQ in the low 70s. They contended that executing him would violate the Eighth Amendment's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. However, both the Florida Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court denied his final appeal just a day before his execution, ruling that his claims were untimely and procedurally barred. The state argued that Pittman was not intellectually disabled at the time of the murders or trial.
Official Statements & Responses
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, who witnessed the execution, stated, “He was evil then. He never changed.” He expressed satisfaction that justice was served, emphasizing the heinous nature of the crimes. In contrast, advocates against the death penalty criticized the execution, arguing that it perpetuates a cycle of violence and fails to deliver true justice. They highlighted Pittman's troubled childhood, marked by abuse and neglect, as a factor that contributed to his actions.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I know you all came to watch an innocent man be murdered by the state of Florida. I am innocent. I didn’t kill anybody. That’s it,” — David Pittman, in his last words.
- “This evil man wiped out an entire family.” — Grady Judd, Polk County Sheriff.
Criticism & Opposition
Opponents of the death penalty, including advocacy groups, have condemned the execution as a "punishment-as-spectacle," arguing that it does not enhance public safety or deliver justice. They pointed out that Pittman’s background of childhood abuse and mental health issues should have exempted him from capital punishment. The Florida Alliance for Death Penalty (FADP) stated, “We killed a man who was broken and beaten as a child,” emphasizing the need for a reevaluation of capital punishment practices in the state.
What's Next
Florida has two more executions scheduled for this fall: Victor Tony Jones on September 30 for the 1990 murders of two people during a robbery, and Samuel Lee Smithers on October 14 for the 1996 murders of two women. The state continues to lead the nation in executions, raising ongoing debates about the ethics and efficacy of the death penalty in the U.S.
