The execution of a man convicted for a 1993 murder is set to take place this week. It would be the 21st execution during Gov. Rick Scott’s system.
Johnny Shane Kormondy is set to be executed for his role in a 1993 murder. One of his accomplices admitted to killing Gary McAdams and is only serving life.
The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops is calling for prayer vigils to pray for the McAdams family and for Kormondy. Executive Director, Michael Sheedy says the bishops continue to call for an end of the use of the death penalty.
“It’s been our consistent teaching that every human life is sacred, from conception to natural death, regardless of guilt or innocence because all human life is sacred and comes from God,” Sheedy says.
Executive Director of Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (FADP), Mark Elliott says that eliminating the death penalty can save the state money.
“It’s legalized, ritualized, premeditated murder. It’s not necessary and it’s hugely expensive to tax payers. The state currently spends more than a million dollars a week just have the death penalty on the books,” Elliott says.
According to the Death Penalty Information Center, Florida would save tens of millions of dollars per year largely in legal costs if it stopped executions. Protests are taking place this week throughout the state. In Tallahassee a vigil will be held on Wednesday January 14th at 7:00 p.m. at the Good Shepard Catholic Church located at 4665 Thomasville Road, Tallahassee and on Thursday, January 15th at 6:00 p.m. in front of the Governor’s mansion.
