Brief
Florida Gov. DeSantis withdraws death warrant for 74‑year‑old inmate amid dementia claims
The governor pulled the warrant five days before the scheduled lethal injection, without giving a public explanation.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis withdrew the death warrant for 74‑year‑old death‑row inmate William Thompson on Thursday, five days before his scheduled execution, according to the New York Post.
What happened
Thompson, convicted of a 1976 torture murder in Miami‑Dade County, had been slated for lethal injection on Oct. 14. DeSantis signed the warrant on Sept. 11 but rescinded it on Oct. 9. The governor did not provide a reason in the letter sent to Florida State Prison warden Randall Polk, which the Post obtained.
What the reports add
The Post notes that attorneys for Thompson, led by Brittney Lacy, filed an emergency petition on Sept. 16 arguing the inmate suffers from dementia and cannot comprehend his impending execution. The petition cites a neuropsychological evaluation by Dr. Robert Ouaou, who concluded Thompson meets the criteria for insanity due to severe cognitive decline and lacks the mental capacity to understand the purpose of his punishment.
According to the filing, Thompson could not recall basic facts such as who the current president was, mistakenly naming “Bush.” He also reported severe pain, weakness, and an inability to remember recent medical care.
What was said
Attorney Lacy told the Post that Thompson “appeared unaware” and “could not give counsel any details about his hospital stays.” Dr. Ouaou is quoted as saying Thompson “meets the criteria for insanity due to his dementia and significant cognitive decline.”
How it came about
Thompson first entered Florida’s death row in 1976, faced a reversed sentence, and was re‑sentenced in the 1980s. He has remained on death row since 1989. The Eighth Amendment bars execution of inmates who lack the mental capacity to understand the punishment, a principle invoked in this case. Earlier this year, Florida carried out the execution of 77‑year‑old Curtis Wilkie Beasley, highlighting the state’s ongoing use of capital punishment despite growing concerns over age‑related cognitive decline.
Key facts
- Governor Ron DeSantis withdrew William Thompson's death warrant on Oct. 9, 2024. (nypost.com)
- Thompson is 74 and convicted of a 1976 torture murder. (nypost.com)
- Attorney Brittney Lacy filed an emergency petition citing Thompson's dementia. (nypost.com)
- Neuropsychologist Robert Ouaou said Thompson meets criteria for insanity due to dementia. (nypost.com)
Timeline
- 1976-10-01 — Thompson convicted of torture murder of Sally Ivester.
- 1989-01-01 — Thompson placed on Florida death row after sentence reinstated.
- 2026-09-11 — DeSantis signed death warrant for Thompson.
- 2026-10-09 — DeSantis withdrew death warrant.
Sources
- [1] nypost.com — originally reported as “Florida death row inmate William Thompson spared from execution, 50 years after torture murder”
