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Florida Supreme Court Denies Execution Stay for James Duckett

4/1/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Florida Supreme Court denied a request to lift the stay on James Duckett's execution scheduled for April 2, 2026.
The stay remains while the lower court reviews claims related to inconclusive DNA evidence.
Duckett has spent 40 years on death row and was last seen with 11-year-old Teresa McAbee in 1987.
The case highlights how 1980s forensic evidence compares with modern DNA testing.

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Story summary

The Florida Supreme Court denied a request to lift the stay on James Duckett's execution scheduled for April 2, 2026.
The stay remains while the lower court reviews claims related to inconclusive DNA evidence.
Duckett has spent 40 years on death row and was last seen with 11-year-old Teresa McAbee in 1987.
The case highlights how 1980s forensic evidence compares with modern DNA testing.