STARKE, Fla. — Frank Athen Walls, 58, was executed on Thursday evening at Florida State Prison, marking the 19th execution in the state this year, a record for 2023. His death by lethal injection comes after a series of convictions for multiple murders, kidnapping, and burglary dating back to the late 1980s.
The recent uptick in executions in Florida, led by Governor Ron DeSantis, underscores a renewed focus on capital punishment in the state. With more executions carried out in a single year than since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976, the implications for the legal and ethical discussions surrounding capital punishment are significant.
Key Developments
- Walls was pronounced dead at 6:11 p.m. following a three-drug injection.
- Before his execution, he expressed remorse to victims’ families for the pain he caused.
- The U.S. Supreme Court denied his request for a stay of execution earlier that day.
- Florida has executed more individuals than any other state in the U.S. this year.
Full Report
Execution Details
Walls’ execution took place without reported complications, according to a spokesperson for Governor DeSantis. Just before the lethal injection began, Walls offered an apology, stating, “I am sorry for all of the things I did, the pain I caused…” His final meal included steak, chicken, and cheesecake.
Background of the Case
Convicted of two counts of murder and other serious charges, Walls first faced trial in 1988. His initial conviction was reversed by the Florida Supreme Court, but he was retried and sentenced to death in 1992 for the 1987 murder of Edward Alger and Ann Peterson during a home invasion. After the crimes, Walls was apprehended when his roommate alerted authorities to his unusual behavior.
Additional Crimes
After his conviction, DNA evidence linked Walls to the rape and murder of Audrey Gygi in May 1987. Rather than face another trial, he entered a no-contest plea. He also confessed to two additional murders from the 1980s as part of a plea agreement.
Florida’s Executions Under DeSantis
This year, DeSantis has issued more death warrants than any Florida governor in recent history, with a stated aim to deliver justice to victims and their families who have awaited resolutions for decades. The pace of executions this year has sparked considerable discourse on the implications for the justice system and capital punishment laws.
Context & Previous Events
The state of Florida has historically been at the forefront of capital punishment in the U.S., with 2014 previously holding the record for the most executions in a single year at eight. As of this year, Florida has outpaced all other states, with Alabama, South Carolina, and Texas each having carried out five executions.
