Story perspectives

U.S. Supreme Court Denies Silvia’s Stay, He’s Executed

8/20/2026

Summary

Silvia Executed

William Frances Silvia, 61, was executed by lethal injection in Florida on August 19 2026.
He was convicted of murder of his wife Patricia Silvia and attempted murder of mother-in-law Betty Woodard.
Florida employed its three-drug lethal-injection protocol, reporting that Silvia did not respond when shaken.
Governor Ron DeSantis, who has signed the most death warrants in Florida, oversaw 13 executions in 2026 and has two scheduled for September 1 and September 10.

Summary

Silvia Appeal Denied

U.S. Supreme Court denied Silvia’s stay request and writ of certiorari on August 18, 2026.
Florida Supreme Court rejected Silvia’s 2026 appeal for lethal-injection protocol records, including etomidate availability.
Advocacy groups, including Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty and the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, said his execution is unconstitutional due to documented mental illness and urged Governor DeSantis to commute his sentence.

History

Historical Context

After the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in Gregg v. Georgia (1976), Florida resumed executions, beginning with John Arthur Spenkelink in 1979 and reaching 138 murders carried out at Florida State Prison since then. Governor Ron DeSantis, who has overseen 41 executions—the most of any Florida governor—signed the 13th 2026 death warrant for William Frances Silvia.

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Silvia Executed

William Frances Silvia, 61, was executed by lethal injection in Florida on August 19 2026.
He was convicted of murder of his wife Patricia Silvia and attempted murder of mother-in-law Betty Woodard.
Florida employed its three-drug lethal-injection protocol, reporting that Silvia did not respond when shaken.
Governor Ron DeSantis, who has signed the most death warrants in Florida, oversaw 13 executions in 2026 and has two scheduled for September 1 and September 10.

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