Florida executed James Robertson, 63, on Tuesday after he killed his cellmate in 2008 specifically to receive a death sentence. Robertson was pronounced dead at 12:32 p.m. following a three-drug injection at Florida State Prison near Starke.
Key Takeaways
Florida executed James Robertson for killing his cellmate to secure a death sentence. This was the state's 17th execution in 2026.
- Florida executed James Robertson, who killed his cellmate to receive a death sentence
- Robertson waived all appeals and was pronounced dead at 12:32 p.m.
- Governor Ron DeSantis withdrew a death warrant for William Lee Thompson due to health concerns
- Florida has carried out more than half of the U.S. executions this year
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▼Source Claims Check
1 Difference FoundAll 3 publishers report consistent facts across 3 key claims. 1 point of difference noted.
| Claim | Status | Reason | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number Of Executions In Florida This Year | 1 Difference | PBS and CBS News report 17 executions so far this year; Los Angeles Times reports 19 executions last year. | ▼ |
| Execution Method | Broad Agreement | three-drug injection: sedative, paralytic, heart-stopping drug | |
| Robertson's Motive | Broad Agreement | wanted death sentence instead of life in prison | |
| Number Of U.s. Executions In 2025 | Broad Agreement | 47 people executed in the US in 2025 |
Number Of Executions In Florida This Year
▼PBS and CBS News report 17 executions so far this year; Los Angeles Times reports 19 executions last year.
Execution Method
Broad Agreementthree-drug injection: sedative, paralytic, heart-stopping drug
Robertson's Motive
Broad Agreementwanted death sentence instead of life in prison
Number Of U.s. Executions In 2025
Broad Agreement47 people executed in the US in 2025
This analysis is AI-generated and may not perfectly represent each source's reporting. Always read the original articles for full context.
Robertson pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and waived all appeals for the 2008 strangling of Frank Hart. According to court records, Robertson tied several socks together and strangled Hart while he slept. He told investigators that the attack was unprovoked and that he killed his cellmate so that he would be sentenced to death rather than living out his days in prison.
The execution comes amid heightened scrutiny of the death penalty following a botched attempt in Tennessee two weeks ago, where Christa Pike survived two lethal doses of pentobarbital. The Pentagon also announced last week that it would livestream the firing squad execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan. Jordan Kirkland, a Florida Department of Corrections spokesperson, emphasized at a news conference before the execution that "Florida has a sound lethal injection process and protocol."
Governor Ron DeSantis withdrew a death warrant last week for William Lee Thompson due to health concerns. This is the first time DeSantis has withdrawn a death warrant. Thompson remains on death row, with the possibility of another execution in the future.
How this summary was created
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