The Final Moments of a Life Marked by Violence
In the final moments of his life, Edward Zakrzewski, a 60-year-old man whose life had been defined by violence, expressed gratitude to the people of Florida for what he described as the “most cold, calculated, clean, humane, efficient way possible” of his death. As a lethal drug cocktail flowed through his veins, he took a deep breath, knowing that he was about to pay what Florida considered his debt to society. This marked the 27th execution in the United States this year, the highest number recorded in a decade.
Under the leadership of Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida has executed nine individuals in 2025, surpassing any other state and setting a new record for executions in a single year. DeSantis has overseen more executions than any previous Florida governor since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. This surge in executions is contributing to a national trend, with more people being put to death in the first seven months of 2025 than in all of 2024. Experts predict that the number of executions will continue to rise, with nine more scheduled across seven states during the remainder of the year.
A National Trend of Increasing Executions
The recent increase in executions follows a long period of decline, which began after the Supreme Court lifted its ban on capital punishment in the 1970s. Executions peaked in 1999 at 98 deaths, but since then, they have steadily decreased due to legal challenges, a shortage of lethal injection drugs, and declining public support for the death penalty. Many states have either paused or abolished the practice altogether.
However, the current uptick appears to be influenced by political factors. President Donald Trump has encouraged prosecutors to pursue the death penalty aggressively, while some state legislatures controlled by Republicans have sought to expand the range of crimes punishable by death and the methods used to carry out executions. According to John Blume, director of the Cornell Death Penalty Project, the increase in executions does not seem to be driven by changes in public opinion or an increase in death sentences, but rather by the discretion of state governors.
The Governor’s Stance on Capital Punishment
Governor DeSantis has consistently emphasized the seriousness of capital cases, stating that some crimes are so horrific that the only appropriate punishment is the death penalty. He has referred to these cases as “the worst of the worst.” For victims’ families, the execution of a perpetrator can bring a sense of closure. Julie Andrew, who witnessed the execution of the man who killed her sister in 2000, said she felt relief and a sense of lightness after the process was complete.
Despite the governor’s statements, the reasons behind the increased pace of executions remain unclear. Critics argue that the process of deciding who receives the death penalty is secretive and arbitrary. The Florida Department of Corrections reports that there are currently 266 individuals on death row, including two men in their 80s who have waited over 40 years for their court-ordered fate.
The Broader Context of U.S. Executions
The United States continues to rank alongside countries such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Egypt in terms of the number of confirmed executions. While China is believed to execute more people than any other nation, the exact figures are considered a state secret. Robin Maher, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center, notes that elected officials often use the death penalty as a political tool to bolster their tough-on-crime credentials.
Fluctuations in Execution Rates
Florida’s execution rates have varied from year to year. In 2024, DeSantis signed one death warrant, while no executions were carried out between 2020 and 2022. In 2023, he oversaw six executions, the highest number during his tenure until this year. That same year, DeSantis challenged Trump for the Republican presidential nomination.
Mark Schlakman, an attorney and professor at Florida State University, explains that the rate of executions can fluctuate based on various factors, including the availability of staff resources, the pace of legal appeals, and a governor’s personal sensibilities.
The Fight Against the Death Penalty
Opponents of the death penalty continue to hold vigils in the Florida capitol, outside the governor’s mansion, and near the state prison that houses the death chamber. People of faith across the state pray for mercy, healing, and justice. Suzanne Printy, a volunteer with Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, has delivered thousands of petitions to DeSantis’ office but feels they have little impact. Despite this, she remains hopeful that the governor may yet intervene.
“He’s the one person who can stop this,” she said.
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