DeSantis Withdraws Death Warrant for Florida Inmate With Dementia

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has withdrawn the death warrant for William Lee Thompson, a 74-year-old inmate whose execution was scheduled for October 13, after defense attorneys raised concerns about his dementia and serious physical illnesses. DeSantis signed the withdrawal letter Thursday, October 8, without explaining his decision, leaving Thompson on death row but removing the immediate execution order.

The decision marks the first time DeSantis has withdrawn a death warrant during his nearly eight years as governor, according to The Guardian. It follows mounting scrutiny of execution procedures after Tennessee officials failed to execute Christa Pike on September 30.

Thompson's lawyers have cited dementia, congestive heart failure and other medical conditions in challenging his execution. According to CBS News and FOX 13 News, his reported diagnoses include chronic kidney disease, severe fatty liver disease and sepsis. His attorneys also sought his transfer to a hospital facility for appropriate medical treatment.

DeSantis signed Thompson's original death warrant on September 11. After his lawyers challenged his mental competency, the governor ordered a three-member panel of psychiatrists to examine him under Executive Order 26-192. The panel was instructed to conduct its evaluation on October 1 and submit findings the following day.

According to the reports, state officials have not publicly released the psychiatric evaluation results or explained why the warrant was withdrawn. The Florida Supreme Court rejected Thompson's request for a stay hours before DeSantis rescinded the order on Thursday.

Grace Hanna, executive director of Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, said Thompson's condition raised questions about his ability to understand his circumstances.

"He did not know where he was, stated that 'Bush' was the president, and, at times, did not even recognize that he had been sentenced to death," Hanna said. "In accordance with state law, he underwent an evaluation last week. Officials never released the findings or explained today's withdrawal."

Hanna also noted that Thompson's attorneys had pursued legal action seeking medical care. His lawyers argued that his cognitive decline and deteriorating physical condition made an execution particularly concerning.

Thompson's attorney, Bri Lacy, welcomed the governor's decision and emphasized her client's medical needs.

"Mr Thompson suffers from dementia and his health is failing – both of which were gravely concerning with an impending execution," Lacy said in an email to The Associated Press.

Lacy also called for improved medical care following the withdrawal of the warrant.

"Now that Mr Thompson is no longer under a death warrant, we hope FDOC [Florida department of corrections] will relocate him to an adequate medical facility and provide the care he needs," Lacy said.

Thompson was sentenced to death for the 1976 murder of Sally Ivester in a Dade County motel room. According to court records cited by CBS News and WFLA, Thompson and co-defendant Rocco Surace demanded that Ivester and Barbara Savage contact their families for money. After Ivester obtained only $25, she was beaten repeatedly and suffered fatal internal bleeding and multiple injuries.

Thompson initially pleaded not guilty before changing his plea to guilty in June 1976 to first-degree murder, kidnapping and sexual battery. The Florida Supreme Court reversed the original judgment in 1977, allowing him to withdraw his plea. He pleaded guilty again in September 1978 and received another death sentence.

Further legal proceedings delayed his execution for decades. A death warrant signed in 1982 was stayed by a federal court, and in 1987 the Florida Supreme Court stayed another warrant and vacated the death sentence. Following resentencing in 1989, a jury recommended death by a 7-5 vote, and the trial court imposed the sentence again.

Thompson's execution had been scheduled shortly before that of James Robertson, 63, who remains scheduled to die on October 13 for the 2008 first-degree murder of fellow inmate Frank Hart. According to the reports, Robertson waived his appeals and told investigators he killed Hart to be transferred to death row.

Florida carried out 19 executions in 2025, the highest annual total in the state since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976, according to The Guardian. Thompson remains on death row, and the governor could issue another death warrant in the future.