Noting that Florida was one of only six U.S. states to execute criminals a year ago, he urged a stay on the pending execution of Oscar Ray Bolin, Jr.
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Scott has overseen the most executions of any governor in Florida since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976.
In the letter on 5 January he urged him to “recognise that the life of each person has dignity and should be respected, even those who have done great harm”.
Unless an appeals court or the U.S. Supreme Court rules otherwise, Bolin could be executed as early as 6 p.m. Before the scheduled execution, Florida Catholics planned to gather to pray for Bolin, his victims and their families and for an end to capital punishment.
Oscar Bolin was in prison in OH on kidnapping and rape charges when he was charged in 1990 with killing 26-year-old Matthews, whose body was found wrapped in a sheet on a rural road in central Florida in December 1986.
Three times, Bolin stood trial in Pasco County in the slaying of Matthews.
“I see her all the time and she’s there and I’m with her”, said Reeves.
“I know there have been problems with the manufacturers of the drugs being sold in the U.S.”, Brunvard said. “I think that would be terrifying to him, and I think it should be terrifying not easy and just go to sleep”, said Reeves. And given the chance to confess to the murders of Terri Lynn Matthews, Natalie Holley, and Stephanie Collins, he insisted, “I did not murder these women”.
Bolin says he plans to look at the family members – and every other witness to his execution – as he is put to death tomorrow.
Bolin’s attorney, Bjorn Brunvand of Clearwater, said he filed another motion to stay with the district court and with the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.
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In perhaps the most widely-reported, recently botched lethal injection execution, Oklahoma inmate Clayton Lockett in 2014 writhed in pain for about 20 minutes after being injected and the procedure was stopped.
