In an unprecedented move, the state of Florida has slated two lethal injections to take place at Florida State Prison in Starke on October 13. However, one execution is temporarily on hold as assessments are made regarding the inmate's mental fitness for execution.
Governor Ron DeSantis signed an execution order for James "Chicken Head" Robertson, aged 63, who is scheduled to face execution at noon for the 2008 murder of his cellmate, Frank Hart, as reported by FOX 35 Orlando.
This marks the 19th execution order signed by DeSantis in 2026, matching Florida's previous annual record.
Robertson confessed to strangling Hart with a garrote at the Charlotte Correctional Institution, resulting in a death sentence in December 2012. Court documents reveal that Robertson admitted to deliberately killing Hart, seeking a death sentence.
The case gained public attention when Robertson was featured in the 2018 Netflix documentary series I Am a Killer, where he recounted committing the crime after enduring years in solitary confinement, hoping for better conditions on death row.
Robertson's criminal history spans decades, and he had spent nearly 28 years in prison when he murdered Hart. The Florida Supreme Court upheld his conviction and death sentence in 2016.
Uncertainty Surrounds Second Execution
Scheduled for 6:00 p.m. the same day is the execution of William Lee Thompson, 74, convicted of the 1976 murder, kidnapping, and sexual assault of Sally Ivester in North Miami Beach. Yet, this execution faces uncertainty.
DeSantis has temporarily halted Thompson's execution while a panel of three psychiatrists evaluates his mental competency, following his attorneys' concerns about potential cognitive decline and health issues.
The original death warrant for Thompson was issued on September 11. He has been on death row for over 40 years for his crime in Miami-Dade.
If deemed competent, Thompson's execution could proceed as planned at 6:00 p.m. on October 13.
Should both executions take place, it would mark Florida's second dual execution of 2026. The state previously conducted two lethal injections on July 28, executing James Aren Duckett and Dominick Anthony Occhicone approximately five hours apart. Florida last scheduled two executions in a single day in 1964.
Duckett, a former police officer, was convicted of raping and murdering an 11-year-old girl, while Occhicone was sentenced for killing his ex-girlfriend's parents.
Florida's Execution Rate in 2026
Florida has maintained one of the highest execution rates in the country for 2026. Three executions were scheduled just for September: Harold Gene Lucas, Daniel Owen Conahan Jr., and Curtis Wilkie Beasley.
Lucas was executed on September 1, Conahan on the 10th, and Beasley on the 29th, bringing Florida's total to 16 executions for the year. Robertson's projected execution would be the 17th.
In addition to Robertson and Thompson, Florida has also planned the execution of William Reaves, 77, for October 20. Reaves was sentenced to death for the 1986 murder of Indian River County Deputy Richard Raczkowski.
Florida's Execution Policies and Procedures
How does Florida determine an inmate's mental competency for execution?
Florida utilizes a panel of psychiatrists to evaluate an inmate’s mental competency. If there are doubts about cognitive decline or mental health, a temporary suspension of execution may be enacted pending evaluation.
What is the significance of dual executions in Florida?
Dual executions are significant as they are rare; the last time Florida scheduled two executions on the same day before 2026 was in 1964. They highlight the state's rigorous execution schedule and policies.
What led to James Robertson's death sentence?
James Robertson received a death sentence after pleading guilty to the premeditated murder of his cellmate Frank Hart, which he committed to secure a death sentence, as revealed in the Netflix documentary I Am a Killer.