Two Florida seniors citizens, James Duckett, 68, and Dominick Occhicone, 80, are set to become part of state history on Tuesday after Goverbor Ron DeSantis signed special orders recognizing them for their unique life stories, Local10.com reports on an exciting day for in the Sunshine State.
Okay, sure. DeSatnis signed their death warrants. Both are set to be executed via lethal injection at Florida State Prison in Bradford County – Duckett at noon for the 1987 rape and murder of an 11 year-old girl and Occhicone later on in the day for the 1986 double murder of his ex-girlfriend’s parents. Both are notable for separate reasons as the case against Duckett – an on-duty police officer on the night of the murder – is still the subject of some lingering doubts, although in 2003 one of his most outspoken advocates publicly did a 180 and concluded Duckett was indeed guilty.
Occhicone meanwhile will be the oldest inmate executed in Florida history. Put together the two’s capital punishments will mark the first double execution day in the state since 1964. So it really is kind of a special occasion – even without the obnoxious omissions in the headline and lede.