Florida Executes Man for 1987 Double Murder During Home Invasion

Frank Athen Walls, a 58-year-old man convicted for a double murder during a home invasion, was executed in Florida on Thursday. His execution marks a record 19th death penalty case in the state this year, highlighting Florida’s significant role in capital punishment in the United States.

Details of the Execution

Walls was pronounced dead at 6:11 p.m. at Florida State Prison near Starke, following a lethal injection. This method employs a three-drug protocol, which involves a sedative, a paralytic agent, and a drug that induces cardiac arrest. No complications were reported during the procedure, according to a spokesperson for Governor Ron DeSantis.

Background of the Case

The crimes for which Walls was executed occurred in July 1987 in the Florida Panhandle. He broke into the mobile home of Edward Alger, a U.S. Air Force airman, and his girlfriend, Ann Peterson. After tying them up, Alger managed to escape briefly, leading to a violent confrontation where Walls fatally attacked him. Walls also shot Peterson during the incident.

Walls was apprehended soon after, thanks to a tip from his roommate. Evidence found during a subsequent search linked him to the scene, and he later confessed to the murders.

Legal Proceedings

Initially sentenced to death in 1988, Walls’ conviction was overturned by the Florida Supreme Court, resulting in a retrial that led to a second death sentence in 1992. His record shows multiple violent offenses, including other murders and a 1987 rape case, for which he pleaded no contest.

Governor DeSantis and the Death Penalty

Governor Ron DeSantis has signed more death warrants in a single year than any governor since the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976. His administration aims to expedite the justice process for victims’ families. The previous annual record for executions in Florida was eight, set in 2014.

National Context of Executions

• In 2023, Florida leads the nation with 19 executions.
• 47 men have been executed across the U.S. so far this year.
• Other states with notable executions include Alabama, South Carolina, and Texas, each with five executions.

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to intervene in Walls’ execution on the day it was scheduled, reinforcing the finality of his sentence.

Florida continues to utilize lethal injection as the method of execution, adhering to standard protocols established by the Department of Corrections.