Florida executes oldest death row inmate in state history as church leaders renew calls to end capital punishment

Florida executed Dusty Ray Spencer, its oldest death row inmate at 74, for his 1992 conviction of murdering his wife. Church leaders, including the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops and Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski, urged Governor Ron DeSantis to end capital punishment, calling it unjust. Florida's execution rate has risen sharply since 2023 due to legislation allowing juries to recommend death sentences with an 8-4 vote.