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DeSantis Oversees Silvia Execution After Supreme Court Denies Stay

8/19/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis oversaw the execution of William Frances Silvia on Aug. 19 2026.
Silvia was pronounced dead at Florida State Prison.
Silvia was convicted of murdering wife Patricia Silvia and attempting to murder Betty Woodard.
The U.S. Supreme Court and Florida Supreme Court denied his last-minute stay requests.
Florida has performed over half of the U.S. 23 executions in 2026 and has two more scheduled for Sept. 1 and Sept. 10.

History

Historical Context

After the Supreme Court revived capital punishment in Gregg v. Georgia (July 1976), Florida rewrote its statutes and has executed 138 inmates at Florida State Prison, with 239 death-row prisoners awaiting execution as of August 18 2026. Governor Ron DeSantis’s August 19 2026 execution of William Frances Silvia follows the state’s intensified scheduling, reflecting a nationwide trend, that began after the 1976 decision.

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Story summary

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis oversaw the execution of William Frances Silvia on Aug. 19 2026.
Silvia was pronounced dead at Florida State Prison.
Silvia was convicted of murdering wife Patricia Silvia and attempting to murder Betty Woodard.
The U.S. Supreme Court and Florida Supreme Court denied his last-minute stay requests.
Florida has performed over half of the U.S. 23 executions in 2026 and has two more scheduled for Sept. 1 and Sept. 10.

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