Florida’s First Double Execution | Jacksonville News

Florida is set to carry out its first double execution in 62 years, with James Duckett, a 68-year-old former police officer convicted of murdering 11-year-old Teresa Mae McAbee in 1987, facing the death penalty on July 28th—just hours before his co-conspirator Dominick Occhicone. Duckett, who has maintained his innocence for nearly four decades, is fighting a losing battle in his appeals, as DNA testing of a decades-old semen sample yielded inconclusive results—blamed by his attorneys on Florida’s failure to send it to a lab capable of advanced analysis. His defense has long challenged the validity of the evidence against him, including tire tracks, a hair sample, and witness testimony, citing inconsistencies and procedural flaws. The joint execution has also drawn legal scrutiny, with lawyers arguing it risks botched procedures and constitutes cruel and unusual punishment—a claim the courts have rejected. As the execution date nears, the case remains a haunting symbol of the enduring struggle for justice in America’s death penalty system. 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.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/0b60e7fef76d3fef