Story perspectives

DeSantis Moves Forward With James Robertson’s Tuesday Execution

By Drooid · Oct 13, 2026, 3:01 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Governor Ron DeSantis is moving forward with the execution of James Robertson.
Robertson, 63, waived appeals after killing cellmate Frank Hart in 2008, reaching death row.
His lethal injection is set for noon Tuesday at Florida State Prison near Starke.
DeSantis withdrew William Lee Thompson’s death warrant, the first withdrawal since he took office.

History

Historical Context

The 1976 Supreme Court decision Gregg v. Georgia revived capital punishment in the United States after the 1972 Furman moratorium. The Court’s narrow 5-4 ruling allowed states such as Florida, Texas, and California to resume executions, leading to 31 death sentences in Florida by 1990. Governor Ron DeSantis’s recent decision to schedule James Robertson’s lethal injection mirrors the post-Gregg era’s intensified use of death warrants, including the 2023 withdrawal of William Lee Thompson’s warrant. These actions signal Florida’s continued alignment with the Gregg-era precedent, suggesting future administrations may further expand or contract capital punishment based on political calculations.

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Story summary

Governor Ron DeSantis is moving forward with the execution of James Robertson.
Robertson, 63, waived appeals after killing cellmate Frank Hart in 2008, reaching death row.
His lethal injection is set for noon Tuesday at Florida State Prison near Starke.
DeSantis withdrew William Lee Thompson’s death warrant, the first withdrawal since he took office.

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