Florida Executes Longest-Serving Death Row Inmate | Jacksonville News

Florida’s governor has signed the death warrant for William Thompson, a 74-year-old man on death row for nearly five decades — convicted in 1978 for the brutal 1976 murder of Sally Ivester. After being denied money by her mother, Ivester was kidnapped, raped, tortured, and killed by Thompson and an accomplice, dying from internal bleeding and severe injuries. Despite multiple overturned convictions and appeals, Thompson remains sentenced to die — and if executed, he’ll be Florida’s 17th inmate put to death this year, marking the fastest pace in recent history. The state says the speed is meant to deliver justice and closure to grieving families after years of waiting. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Sources:https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/crime/2026/09/14/florida-execution-scheduled-william-thompson/91755524007/ More coverage & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/4198a45699294262 Report issues to [email protected].