crime-and-justice1 hour ago
Florida Executes 77-Year-Old Vietnam Veteran in 18th Capital Punishment of 2026
Florida executed 77-year-old William Reaves on October 20, 2026, marking the state's 18th execution this year. Reaves was convicted in 1992 for the 1986 shooting death of Indian River County Deputy Richard Raczkowski. The execution followed the US Supreme Court's rejection of his final appeal. Florida continues to lead the nation in capital punishment, with Governor Ron DeSantis accelerating the pace of executions in his final term. Reaves was the eighth prisoner over age 70 executed in Florida this year.