Florida's Death Penalty Drama: Executions Resurge Amid Controversy

Okaloosa County, Florida, USA - In a harrowing case that has gripped Florida, Edward J. Zakrzewski, II, is set to face execution on July 31, 2023. Governor Ron DeSantis has signed the execution warrant, marking another somber chapter in Florida’s history with the death penalty. Zakrzewski, who was convicted for the brutal murder of his wife and two children in 1994, has been on death row since he pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree murder in 1996.

The tragic events unfolded on June 9, 1994, in Okaloosa County when Zakrzewski killed his wife, Sylvia, and their children, Edward, 7, and Anna, 5. He used a crowbar and a machete as weapons, ultimately turning himself in after the case was showcased on the television show “Unsolved Mysteries.” His case is one of chilling familial violence, and it serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact domestic disputes can have.

Ongoing Executions in Florida

This year, Florida has already executed six individuals, and another inmate, Michael Bernard Bell, is scheduled for execution by lethal injection on July 15, 2023, for a double murder committed outside a bar in 1993. The growing list of executions raises questions about the state’s approach to capital punishment.

The state has implemented executions via lethal injection since 2000, an alternative to the electric chair which was once the primary method. Governor DeSantis has signed multiple death warrants, including that of Thomas Lee Gudinas, who awaits his execution on June 24, 2025, for the rape and murder of Michelle McGrath in 1994. Gudinas’s case illustrates the continuation of harsh penalties in Florida, despite public debate over the ethics of the death penalty.

Notably, Florida has executed seven individuals as of mid-2025, including James Dennis Ford, Edward T. James, and Anthony Wainwright, all convicted of heinous crimes spanning from the 1990s to the early 2000s. The judicial processes leading to these executions often unfold under intense scrutiny, as some inmates continue to seek appeals, citing issues such as coerced confessions and insufficient legal representation.

The Landscape of Capital Punishment in Florida

Florida’s death penalty history is rich and complex. Beginning in the early 19th century, the state transitioned from local execution practices to a centralized state control system in 1923. This shift marked the implementation of electrocution as a standard method until lethal injection was introduced in the 1990s following a series of botched executions. Furthermore, significant legal milestones in Florida have deeply influenced its death penalty statutes, such as the abolishment of non-unanimous jury recommendations for death sentences.

Despite these changes, one thing remains clear: Florida leads the nation in the number of exonerations from death row—30 to date, highlighting serious flaws in the justice system. Cases such as that of Frank Lee Smith, who was posthumously exonerated, suggest that the sanctity of human life in capital cases is still a contentious issue. As Governor DeSantis’s administration continues to enforce capital sentences, the conversation around the morality and effectiveness of the death penalty only intensifies.

With pressures mounting and legal disputes persisting, the state’s path forward in addressing these cases will be closely monitored. For many, the execution of Edward Zakrzewski II may serve as a painful relief for some families, while for others, it may spark further debate about justice, forgiveness, and the inherent flaws of the capital punishment system.

As Florida grapples with its approach to capital punishment, it must also confront the broader implications of its decisions—a task that continues to resonate deeply in the hearts and minds of its citizens.