Florida Isn’t Holding Back on 2025 Executions

A Florida inmate who killed two people during a violent home-invasion robbery—and later confessed to three additional murders—is set to be executed in December under a death warrant signed Tuesday by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who continues to authorize executions at a record-setting pace. Frank Athen Walls, 58, is scheduled to die by lethal injection on Dec. 18 at Florida State Prison, according to the AP. If carried out, Walls would become the 19th person scheduled for execution in Florida in 2025, surpassing the yearly total of any governor since the state reinstated capital punishment in 1976. The previous record, set in 2014, was eight executions in one year.

DeSantis issued the warrant just two days before the planned execution of Richard Barry Randolph. Another condemned inmate, Mark Allen Geralds, is slated to be executed on Dec. 9. Walls was originally convicted in 1988 on charges of murder, kidnapping, burglary, and theft. The Florida Supreme Court later overturned that conviction and ordered a retrial, but Walls was again found guilty and resentenced to death in 1992.

According to court records, Walls broke into the Florida Panhandle mobile home of Eglin Air Force Base airman Edward Alger and his girlfriend, Ann Peterson, in July 1987. After binding the couple, Alger managed to break free and fight back. Walls slit Alger’s throat and, when Alger continued resisting, fatally shot him. Peterson was then shot as she struggled.

Authorities arrested Walls the day after the bodies were discovered, after his roommate reported suspicious behavior. A search of their residence turned up items taken from the victims’ home, and Walls ultimately confessed. Following his conviction, DNA evidence tied him to the May 1987 rape and murder of Audrey Gygi. He later pleaded no contest in that case, avoiding another death sentence. Walls also admitted to killing Tommie Lou Whiddon in 1985 and Cynthia Sue Condra in 1986 under a deal with prosecutors.

Walls’ attorneys are expected to petition both the Florida Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court in a final round of appeals. Nationwide, 43 executions have taken place in 2025, with Florida leading the country amid a rapid succession of death warrants signed by DeSantis. The state’s most recent execution occurred last Thursday, when Bryan Frederick Jennings—convicted of raping and killing a neighbor—was put to death by lethal injection.

Original Source