Dusty Ray Spencer, a 74-year-old Florida man, became the oldest person executed in modern state history on Thursday. He was put to death at Florida State Prison near Starke for the fatal stabbing of his wife, Karen, in 1992.
Key Takeaways
Florida executed 74-year-old Dusty Ray Spencer on Thursday for the 1992 murder of his wife, Karen. This execution makes him the oldest person put to death in Florida's modern history.
- Florida executes 74-year-old Dusty Ray Spencer for 1992 murder of his wife
- Execution marks the ninth this year in Florida, following a record 19 executions in 2025
- Spencer was convicted of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault and aggravated battery
- Attorneys argued against execution due to Spencer's health issues and advanced age
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▼Source Claims Check
1 Difference FoundAll 3 publishers report consistent facts across 2 key claims. 1 point of difference noted.
| Claim | Status | Reason | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number Of Executions This Year | 1 Difference | CBS News and Fox News say this is Florida's ninth execution in 2025; UPI reports it as the ninth execution of 2026. | ▼ |
| Execution Age Record | Broad Agreement | Spencer is the oldest person executed in Florida's modern history. | |
| Spencer's Final Words | Broad Agreement | Spencer said, 'Sorry, sorry to the family. Into thy hands I commit my spirit and my soul.' |
Number Of Executions This Year
▼CBS News and Fox News say this is Florida's ninth execution in 2025; UPI reports it as the ninth execution of 2026.
Execution Age Record
Broad AgreementSpencer is the oldest person executed in Florida's modern history.
Spencer's Final Words
Broad AgreementSpencer said, 'Sorry, sorry to the family. Into thy hands I commit my spirit and my soul.'
This analysis is AI-generated and may not perfectly represent each source's reporting. Always read the original articles for full context.
The execution took place at 6:10 p.m., with Spencer receiving a three-drug injection. According to multiple reports, he expressed remorse before his death, saying, "Sorry, sorry to the family. Into thy hands I commit my spirit and my soul. I'm on my way, Lord."
Spencer's execution was the ninth in Florida this year and followed a record 19 executions in 2025. According to Fox News, Governor Ron DeSantis oversaw more executions in a single year than any other Florida governor since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976.
The case dates back to December 1991 when Spencer was arrested for choking and threatening his wife. While in jail, he called her to warn that he would "finish what he started" upon release. In January 1992, Spencer beat his wife's teenage son with a clothes iron and later stabbed Karen repeatedly after hitting her with a brick.
Spencer was initially sentenced to death in 1992 but successfully appealed the sentence due to mishandling of aggravating and mitigating circumstances. He was resentenced to death in 1996, and subsequent appeals were denied. His attorneys argued that his health issues, including liver disease, posed a heightened risk of pain and suffering during execution.
Another execution is scheduled in Florida for July 14. Dennis Sochor, also 74, was convicted of killing a woman just hours into 1982 after meeting her at a New Year's Eve party.
How this summary was created
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