The state of Florida is set to carry out the execution of a man convicted of kidnapping, attempted rape, and murder of a woman in 1982, on August 19. According to local reports, the execution of Kayle Bates will mark the tenth such event in the state this year. Governor Ron DeSantis authorized the execution order last Friday, just three days after the state executed Michael Bell, who was found guilty of a double homicide in 1993.
Bates, now 67, was found guilty of first-degree murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, and attempted sexual assault. Court documents indicate that on June 14, 1982, he abducted Janet White from her workplace at a State Farm insurance office in Bay County. He took her to a nearby wooded area, where he attempted to rape her, stabbed her to death, and forcibly removed a diamond ring from her finger.
The state's Attorney General, James Uthmeier, characterized the crime as brutal and premeditated in a detailed case summary. The crime has widely been considered a case of femicide due to its sexual violence and the viciousness with which it was committed. Meanwhile, Bates' defense attorney, James Driscoll Jr., stated plans to file new appeals. "We believe his execution would violate the United States Constitution," he said in a phone interview on Saturday.
Last week, Michael Bell became the 26th person executed in the United States in 2025, exceeding the 25 executions reported the previous year and marking the highest number since 2015. The resurgence of executions in Florida aligns with Governor DeSantis's strengthened "law and order" agenda, using the death penalty as a pivotal tool. Bates' execution would continue this trend amidst a national increase in capital punishment applications.
Death Penalty Trends in the U.S.
Executions in the United States have reached their highest level in a decade. This increase is driven by more aggressive policies in states like Florida, Texas, and South Carolina, which have intensified their use of the death penalty, ignoring abolitionist trends in other parts of the nation. In 2025, most executions in the U.S. have been carried out by lethal injection, though alternative methods like nitrogen gas inhalation and firing squad have also been employed. South Carolina used the firing squad method for the first time in 15 years due to a shortage of lethal injection drugs.
Understanding Florida's Death Penalty System
What crimes was Kayle Bates convicted of?
Kayle Bates was convicted of first-degree murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, and attempted sexual assault.
How has Florida's execution policy changed under Governor DeSantis?
Under Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida has strengthened its use of the death penalty as part of a "law and order" agenda, leading to an increase in executions.
What methods are currently used for executions in the U.S.?
Most executions in the U.S. are carried out by lethal injection, but alternative methods like nitrogen gas inhalation and firing squad have been used as well.