Florida Executes William Reaves, 77, in 18th Execution of 2026
Florida, US
Matt Stamey/Reuters
Source Analysis
What Happened
What Happened
Where Sources Agree
- arrows_input18th Execution Confirmed: Various reports document that Florida executed 77-year-old William Reaves by lethal injection at Florida State Prison on Oct. 20, marking the state's 18th execution this year, according to the Department of Corrections.
- arrows_inputFlorida Reaches 18th Execution: Several outlets confirm William Reaves, 77, was executed by lethal injection on Tuesday, marking Florida's 18th execution of the year, according to the Department of Corrections.
- arrows_inputVietnam Service Mitigation: Multiple outlets emphasize that defense attorneys argued jurors were never informed of Reaves’ 100% disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs for PTSD caused by his Vietnam service, with more than 100 military veterans urging clemency based on that history.
Where Sources Disagree
- arrows_outputTotal U.S. Execution Count: Sources report slightly different figures for the total number of U.S. executions in 2026. Some outlets state that Florida has carried out more than half of 31 total executions, while others cite a total of 32.
- arrows_outputLethal Injection Protocol Controversy: State officials defend Florida's three-drug lethal injection protocol as standard procedure. Conversely, defense attorneys challenge the method, citing inmate appeals and reports that suggest the protocol can cause flash pulmonary edema and a drowning sensation.
Timeline
October 20, 2026
Execution carried out: Florida carried out William Reaves' execution by a three‑drug lethal injection at Florida State Prison near Starke on Oct. 20, 2026; Reaves, 77, was pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m., marking the state's 18th execution of the year and the eighth of 2026 of a prisoner over age 70. The event brought officials and witnesses, and left another execution scheduled in November that could tie the state's 2025 record.
October 20, 2026
Final appeals and pleas denied: Reaves' legal challenges — including objections to Florida's three‑drug lethal injection protocol and claims about his military service and hearing loss — were rejected by the Florida Supreme Court (order issued Oct. 14) and his final appeal was denied by the U.S. Supreme Court on Oct. 20, 2026; more than 100 military veterans had petitioned the governor for clemency.
September 18, 2026
Death warrant signed: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Reaves' death warrant on Sept. 18, 2026, and denied clemency the same day despite arguments from his attorneys about his Vietnam-era PTSD and other claims. Indian River County officials, including Sheriff Eric Flowers, pushed for and planned to witness the execution.
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Source Analysis
Timeline
October 20, 2026
Execution carried out: Florida carried out William Reaves' execution by a three‑drug lethal injection at Florida State Prison near Starke on Oct. 20, 2026; Reaves, 77, was pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m., marking the state's 18th execution of the year and the eighth of 2026 of a prisoner over age 70. The event brought officials and witnesses, and left another execution scheduled in November that could tie the state's 2025 record.
October 20, 2026
Final appeals and pleas denied: Reaves' legal challenges — including objections to Florida's three‑drug lethal injection protocol and claims about his military service and hearing loss — were rejected by the Florida Supreme Court (order issued Oct. 14) and his final appeal was denied by the U.S. Supreme Court on Oct. 20, 2026; more than 100 military veterans had petitioned the governor for clemency.
September 18, 2026
Death warrant signed: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Reaves' death warrant on Sept. 18, 2026, and denied clemency the same day despite arguments from his attorneys about his Vietnam-era PTSD and other claims. Indian River County officials, including Sheriff Eric Flowers, pushed for and planned to witness the execution.
