The state of Florida has scheduled two executions for Tuesday, which is considered a rare and unusual occurrence. James Duckett, 68, and Dominick Occhicone, 80, are scheduled to be put to death via lethal injection for their atrocious crimes committed back in the late 1980s.
Rare Double Execution
Unless either man receives a stay of execution, their penalties will proceed, and this will be the first double execution since 1964 that Florida has carried out. The last state that executed more than one person on a single day was in 2017 in Arkansas, and before that, Texas did in 2000.
The executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center, Robin Maher, told The Guardian that more than one execution in a single day is “incredibly rare.”
“That is consistent with the secrecy that has surrounded every execution, and every execution decision, that Florida is making these days,” Maher said.
James Duckett’s Crimes
James Duckett’s execution was scheduled for 12 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. He was a Mascotte police officer who was convicted of the 1987 kidnapping, rape and murder of 11-year-old Teresa Mae McAbee. It was reported that McAbee was last seen buying a pencil in a convenience store before her strangled body was found in a lake the next day.
Duckett’s attorneys maintain his innocence and noted there were inconclusive DNA results. “The State’s duty is to ensure that justice is done, and not rush to kill in a case with such serious doubts over guilt,” his attorneys told CNN.
“We are committed to seeking every avenue of relief for Mr. Duckett ahead of his scheduled July 28 execution so that the State of Florida does not execute an innocent man.”
He was originally scheduled for execution on March 31, 2026, but it was stayed to allow for new DNA testing. Although the recently tested DNA was inconclusive, his conviction stood because it did not exonerate him of the crime either. Governor Ron DeSantis issued a new death warrant following the judge’s decision.
Cruel and Unusual Punishment
Dominick Occhicone’s execution is scheduled for 6 p.m. on July 28, 2026, for the 1986 murders of his ex’s parents. If his penalty is carried out, he will be the oldest person in Florida’s history to ever be executed.
His attorneys have argued that his execution be stayed because of his current health situation. They claim that lethal injection could prove to be more painful, insinuating it would make this a cruel and unusual punishment, which is against his Eighth Amendment rights.
Dominick Occhicone’s Crimes
Occhicone dated his ex-girlfriend, Anita Gerrety, for three years, had a child together, and was engaged to be married. Investigators said that Gerrety broke up with Occhicone due to his temper and violent abuse, which sent him into a downward spiral.
He attempted to win her back numerous times, but when all else failed, he resorted to threats. He ultimately blamed Gerrety’s parents for the breakup, so he went to their home and cut their phone lines. Occhicone broke into their home afterward and shot Raymond Artzner in the face and Martha Artzner four times, killing them both.
In June 1987, Occhicone was convicted of the double murder of his ex-girlfriend’s parents and was sentenced months later on November 9, 1987. He received a life sentence for the killing of Raymond and a death sentence for the killing of Martha.
Upcoming Executions
Given that both men are executed on Tuesday, this will make them the 11th and 12th people to be executed in Florida this year. There is only one more person scheduled for execution in Florida in August 2026–William Frances Silvia Jr., who was convicted of the 2006 shooting of his wife.
