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2d ago

Florida Executes Kayle Bates for 1982 Abduction and Killing, Marking 10th Execution of 2025

Courts rejected his last appeals following a judge's dismissal of a challenge to Florida's death-warrant process.

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Janet Renee White and Randy White are pictured on their wedding day in 1974.
FILE - Clouds hover over the entrance of the Florida State Prison in Starke, Fla., Aug. 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Curt Anderson, File)
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Overview

  • Bates, 67, was pronounced dead at 6:17 p.m. after a three-drug injection at Florida State Prison near Starke; he declined a last meal and gave no final statement.
  • He was convicted of first-degree murder, kidnapping, armed robbery and attempted sexual battery for the June 14, 1982 killing of insurance worker Janet Renee White in Bay County.
  • A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit alleging bias in Gov. Ron DeSantis’ warrant selections, the Florida Supreme Court denied remaining claims, and the U.S. Supreme Court rejected last-minute appeals on Tuesday.
  • Randy White, the victim’s husband, witnessed the execution and said the outcome brought a measure of relief after 43 years.
  • The execution extended Florida’s single-year record to 10 and brought the U.S. total to 29 in 2025, with additional Florida executions set for Aug. 28 and Sept. 17.