On Tuesday, July 1, 2008, which is today, Florida will carry out its first execution since 2006. The person on death row is 39 year old Mark Dean Schwab, the convicted child killer. Schwab has been charged for the death of 11 year old Junny Rio-Martinez back in 1991. He was charged with the raping and killing of the boy.
As I am typing this article, it is approximately 4:54 P.M. Schwab’s execution is set for 6 P.M. EST. That would mean in PST, Schwab’s execution will be taking place at 3 P.M.
This will be the first time since 2006 that Florida will use the death penalty. Back in 2006, the execution of Angel Diaz was botched. It took Diaz 34 minutes to die as the needles missed his veins.
Schwab’s execution was put on hold during the court case of Kentucky’s use of lethal injection. However, the court ruled in favor of Kentucky. Afterwards, other states were free to continue with executions.
While Schwab will be the first person in Florida executed since 2006, he will be the tenth person executed since the ruling on Kentucky.
It is almost five o’clock in the afternoon. One hour until Schwab is executed.