74-Year-Old Man Facing Execution Would Be Oldest Put to Death in Modern Florida History
Spencer’s lawyers told the U.S. Supreme Court that Florida’s lethal injection protocol could amount to cruel and unusual punishment for a 74-year-old with medical conditions.
- Florida is scheduled to execute 74-year-old Dusty Ray Spencer by lethal injection on Thursday, June 25, at Florida State Prison near Starke for the 1992 stabbing death of his wife, Karen Spencer.
- Spencer fatally stabbed Karen Spencer in 1992 after threatening her while jailed for a prior assault; during the attack, he beat their teenage son with a clothes iron when the boy tried to protect his mother.
- Spencer's attorneys have appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that his advanced age and significant medical conditions, including liver disease, make the execution unconstitutional under the 8th Amendment.
- This execution marks Florida's ninth this year under Gov. Ron DeSantis's accelerated pace, following a record 19 executions in 2025 that surpassed the prior 2014 record of eight.
- Another 74-year-old death row inmate, Dennis Sochor, is scheduled for execution in the near future, though nationwide records show Alabama executed 83-year-old Walter Leroy Moody Jr. in 2018.
29 Articles
29 Articles
Who Is The Oldest Death Row Inmate Facing Execution In Florida
A 74-year-old Florida death row inmate is scheduled to be executed on Thursday evening, a move that would make him the oldest person put to death in the state's modern history. Dusty Ray Spencer is set to receive a lethal injection at Florida State Prison for the 1992 fatal stabbing of his wife, Karen.💡According to Florida Department of Corrections records, Spencer would surpass the previous oldest inmates executed in the state, both of whom we…
Dusty Ray Spencer supporters urge action from DeSantis
Supporters of Florida death row inmate Dusty Ray Spencer are urging Governor Ron DeSantis to stop his scheduled execution. They argue decades behind bars have transformed the man convicted of killing his wife. Spencer, 74, is scheduled to be executed next month. If carried out, it would make him the oldest person executed in modern Florida history. He was sentenced to death for the 1992 murder of his wife, Karen Spencer. During a virtual press c…
The Independent
The Independent (US)Killer set to be executed in Florida after insisting he is too old to be put to death
A final appeal was still pending before the U.S. Supreme Court
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74-year-old man facing execution would be oldest put to death in modern Florida history
A 74-year-old man who is set to be executed would be the oldest Florida inmate to die by the death penalty in modern history.
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