Tallahasee, Florida
AP
—
A Florida man who fatally stabbed his estranged wife’s sister and mother and father and then set fire to their house is scheduled for execution in Florida below a dying warrant signed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.
David Pittman, 63, is set to die Sept. 17 within the record-extending twelfth execution scheduled for this year. DeSantis signed the warrant Friday, as two different males, Kayle Bates and Curtis Windom, await execution later this month.
The highest earlier annual whole of current Florida executions is eight in 2014, for the reason that dying penalty was restored in 1976 by the US Supreme Court. Florida has already executed 9 folks this 12 months, greater than some other state, whereas Texas and South Carolina are tied for second place with 4 every.
A complete of 28 folks have been executed up to now this 12 months within the US, exceeding the 25 executions carried out final 12 months. It ties 2015, when 28 folks had been additionally put to dying.
Pittman was convicted and sentenced to dying in 1991 on three counts of first-degree homicide, in accordance to courtroom information. Jurors additionally discovered him responsible of arson and grand theft.
Pittman and his spouse, Marie, had been going by a divorce in May 1990, when Pittman went to the Polk County house of her mother and father, Clarence and Barbara Knowles, officers mentioned. Pittman fatally stabbed the couple, in addition to their youthful daughter, Bonnie. He then set fire to the house and stole Bonnie Knowles’ automotive, which he additionally set on fire, investigators mentioned.
A witnessed recognized Pittman because the particular person operating away from the burning automotive. A jailhouse informant additionally testified that Pittman had admitted to the killings.
The Florida Supreme Court is already scheduled to hear an attraction. An attraction will even seemingly be filed with the US Supreme Court.