A 74-year-old man, Dusty Ray Spencer, was executed in Florida on Thursday for the 1992 stabbing death of his wife, Karen. Spencer, the oldest person to be executed in Florida’s modern history, was pronounced dead at 6:10 p.m. following a three-drug injection at Florida State Prison near Starke.
During the execution, Spencer expressed remorse, saying, “Sorry to the family. Into thy hands I commit my spirit and my soul. I’m on my way, Lord. Amen.” The lethal drugs were administered promptly afterward, and Spencer ceased all movements after a few minutes of labored breathing.
The warden attempted to revive Spencer without success, and a medic was called in to confirm his death. Alex Lanfranconi, from Governor Ron DeSantis’ office, stated that the execution had no complications.
Records from the Florida Department of Corrections revealed that Spencer became the oldest inmate executed in the state, surpassing the previous record holders at age 72. Another 74-year-old inmate, Dennis Sochor, is scheduled for execution on July 14 for a crime committed in 1982.
Spencer’s arrest stemmed from a history of violence towards his wife, including a threat to kill her while in jail. The fatal incident occurred when Spencer attacked his wife’s son with a clothes iron before fatally stabbing his wife a week later.
Initially sentenced to death in 1992, Spencer’s case faced multiple appeals, with his attorneys arguing against his execution due to health issues and advanced age. The U.S. Supreme Court rejected his final appeal on Thursday.
The victim’s family did not release a statement following the execution. Walter Leroy Moody Jr., executed at 83 in Alabama, remains the oldest person ever executed in modern U.S. history.
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