A Florida man convicted of killing four people, including his own daughter, is scheduled to die by lethal injection Thursday. Jerry Correll’s execution had been delayed for months.
Back in January, Governor Rick Scott had scheduled Correll’s execution for late February. But, Correll’s attorneys got the courts to halt the execution, while the U.S. Supreme Court weighed whether the sedative used in the three-drug cocktail was unconstitutional. Midazolam has been used in botched executions in other states. Still, even when it was ruled constitutional, Correll’s stay wasn’t yet lifted.
The Florida Supreme Court only agreed to move forward with his execution, after rejecting arguments that Correll’s drug abuse history could render the sedative useless.
He’s convicted of stabbing to death his ex-wife, her mother, sister, and their five-year-old daughter 30 years ago in Orlando. Attorney General Pam Bondi’s office had argued for the stay to be lifted.
“This was a horrific murder, mother, baby, sister, and the courts have ruled in our favor,” said Bondi, speaking to reporters, following Tuesday's Cabinet meeting. “We’re not going to let anyone be executed that we don’t feel is warranted by our laws.”
She says even while there’s another challenge to Florida’s death penalty process pending before the Florida Supreme Court, Correll’s execution should go forward.
“Well, the courts have ruled in our favor in the past on this very issue, and this was a horrific—that’s still no reason to continue with it—but, horrible, horrible murder…I think in 1985 it occurred,” Bondi added.
Correll will be the 22nd inmate executed under Governor Rick Scott—one more than the all-time high of 21 during former Governor Jeb Bush’s two terms in office in the modern era.
For more news updates, follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter: @SaschaCordner.
