Full Breakdown
Florida Governor Withdraws Death Warrant for William Lee Thompson
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
Governor Ron DeSantis rescinded the death warrant for 74-year-old inmate William Lee Thompson, cancelling the lethal-injection execution scheduled for Tuesday, October 13. The governor’s letter to Florida State Prison warden Randall Polk gave no explanation. Thompson remains on death row; a new warrant could be issued later. The second scheduled execution—James Robertson, 63, for the 2008 murder of his cellmate Frank Hart—will proceed as planned.
Background & Context
Thompson was convicted of the 1976 kidnapping, rape and murder of 23-year-old Sally Ivester in a North Miami motel. He entered a guilty plea on June 17, 1976, and received a death sentence. Over the decades his sentence was repeatedly vacated and reinstated through appeals. In September 2026 his attorneys argued that severe dementia, heart failure and other conditions rendered him incompetent for execution under Florida law.
Data & Statistics
- Florida carried out 19 executions in 2025, the highest annual total since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976.
- The state is on track for 20 scheduled executions in 2026, a potential new modern-era record.
- Thompson is the fourth-longest-serving death-row inmate in Florida, having spent roughly 48 years awaiting execution.
Official Statements & Responses
- Governor DeSantis’s letter withdrew the warrant without providing a rationale.
- The Florida Department of Corrections has not released the findings of the psychiatric panel that examined Thompson on October 1, which were due by October 2.
- Thompson’s counsel filed a federal lawsuit seeking adequate medical treatment for his “terminal and cognitive conditions.”
Criticism & Opposition
Grace Hanna, executive director of Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, warned that executing an inmate with severe cognitive decline could result in a “catastrophic procedure” because of compromised veins and chronic cardiovascular failure. Critics say the execution would violate constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Mr Thompson suffers from dementia and his health is failing – both of which were gravely concerning with an impending execution,” — Bri Lacy
- “He did not know where he was, stated that ‘Bush’ was the president, and, at times, did not even recognize that he had been sentenced to death,” — Grace Hanna
Timeline
- March 30, 1976 – Sally Ivester is killed in a motel room assault involving Thompson and co-defendant Rocco Surace.
- April 1, 1976 – Thompson is arrested.
- June 17, 1976 – Thompson changes his plea to guilty and receives a death sentence.
- September 11 – DeSantis signs Thompson’s death warrant.
- September 15 – A neuropsychological evaluation finds Thompson believes “Bush” is the current president and does not recognize his death-row status.
- October 1 – A three-member psychiatric panel examines Thompson; findings were to be reported by October 2.
- Early October – DeSantis sends a letter to Warden Polk withdrawing the death warrant, cancelling the October 13 execution.
What’s Next
Thompson’s attorneys continue to pursue the federal lawsuit demanding relocation to a medical facility and appropriate care. The state has not announced whether a new death warrant will be issued. James Robertson’s execution remains scheduled for October 13, and Florida’s broader execution schedule will proceed unless further legal challenges arise.