News Summary
Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a death warrant for Curtis Windom, a convicted murderer set for execution on August 28, 2023. Windom was found guilty of murdering three individuals in Orange County in 1992. This execution could mark the 11th inmate executed in Florida this year, breaking records for capital punishment usage in the state. Alongside Windom, two other death warrants have been signed for upcoming executions, indicating a significant shift in Florida’s approach to the death penalty amid ongoing legal and ethical discussions.
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a death warrant for Curtis Windom, a convicted murderer who is scheduled to be executed on August 28, 2023, at Florida State Prison. Windom, 59, was found guilty of murdering three individuals in Orange County during a violent incident in 1992.
This execution represents a significant moment in Florida’s criminal justice landscape, as it could mark the 11th inmate executed in the state this year, potentially setting a record-breaking pace for executions. Florida has already seen a surge in the number of executions in 2023, eclipsing the previous years where no executions occurred in 2020, 2021, or 2022.
In addition to Windom’s case, Governor DeSantis has also signed death warrants for Edward Zakrzewski and Kayle Barrington Bates, scheduled for execution on July 31 and August 19 respectively. Zakrzewski is on death row for the 1994 murders of his wife and two children in Okaloosa County. If Zakrzewski is executed, it will break the modern-era record of eight executions in a single year, previously set in 1984 and 2014.
Curtis Windom was convicted for a brutal crime spree that occurred on February 7, 1992. Windom first shot Johnnie Lee, claiming that Lee owed him $2,000. Lee was shot twice in the back while standing and then shot twice more at close range as he lay on the ground. Following this, Windom drove to the residence of his on-again-off-again girlfriend, Valerie Davis, where he fatally shot her. Mary Lubin, Davis’ mother, was also killed as she drove down the street, adding to the tragic toll of that night. One victim, Kenneth Williams, was wounded during the shooting but survived the attack.
The Florida Supreme Court has posted the death warrant and supporting legal documents without additional comments regarding the case from Governor DeSantis.
Florida has executed several inmates this year, with a notable list including Michael Bell on July 15, Thomas Gudinas on June 24, and Anthony Wainwright on June 10. Other executed inmates include Glen Rogers, Jeffrey Hutchinson, Michael Tanzi, Edward James, and James Ford throughout the earlier months of the year. As of now, the count of executions stands at ten, reflecting a dramatic increase in the state’s use of capital punishment compared to previous years.
The broader context of Florida’s death penalty concerns a history that dates back to the reinstatement of executions in the state in 1976, following a landmark decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that overturned the previous ban on the death penalty. The state saw a significant reduction in executions during the last few years; however, the current year indicates a shift toward a more active use of the death penalty.
As the date of Windom’s execution draws closer, Florida continues to grapple with the implications of capital punishment, weighed against the backdrop of public opinion and legal scrutiny. The decision by Governor DeSantis to move forward with multiple executions signals a strong commitment to the death penalty amid ongoing discussions about its effectiveness and morality.
Overall, the legal and ethical landscape surrounding capital punishment in Florida presents a complex interplay of law, justice, and community safety, making Windom’s impending execution a pivotal moment in this ongoing narrative.
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Additional Resources
- Tallahassee Reports: DeSantis Signs Death Warrant for 1992 Murders
- NWF Daily News: DeSantis Sets Record with Death Warrant
- Tallahassee.com: Governor Signs 7 Death Warrants in 3 Months
- Fox13 News: DeSantis Signs First Death Warrant of 2025
- Wikipedia: Death Penalty in Florida
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
