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DeSantis Withdraws Execution Warrant for William Lee Thompson

By Drooid · Oct 10, 2026, 1:18 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Governor Ron DeSantis withdrew the death warrant for 74-year-old inmate William Lee Thompson.
He acted after lawyers cited Thompson’s dementia, sepsis and other serious health conditions.
DeSantis signed the warrant on Sept. 11, 2026 and rescinded it in a letter on Oct. 8.
A three-psychiatrist panel appointed on Sept. 17 evaluated Thompson, but its findings remain unreleased.
James Robertson, 63, stays scheduled for execution at noon on Oct. 13 for a 2008 murder.

History

Historical Context

After the 1972 Furman decision halted U.S. executions, the Supreme Court’s 1976 Gregg v. Georgia ruling revived capital punishment, prompting 35 states to rewrite statutes and raising public support from 50% to 66%. Utah led the new era with Gary Gilmore’s firing-squad execution on January 17 1977. This legal revival underlies today’s gubernatorial pauses on death warrants.

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Story summary

Governor Ron DeSantis withdrew the death warrant for 74-year-old inmate William Lee Thompson.
He acted after lawyers cited Thompson’s dementia, sepsis and other serious health conditions.
DeSantis signed the warrant on Sept. 11, 2026 and rescinded it in a letter on Oct. 8.
A three-psychiatrist panel appointed on Sept. 17 evaluated Thompson, but its findings remain unreleased.
James Robertson, 63, stays scheduled for execution at noon on Oct. 13 for a 2008 murder.

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