Florida Supreme Court Reviews Execution of Inmate Citing Medical Risks

Michael Tanzi's lawyers argue that his obesity and health conditions could lead to a botched lethal injection, raising Eighth Amendment concerns.

Michael Tanzi, scheduled for execution on April 8, 2025, is petitioning the Florida Supreme Court to halt the process due to his medical conditions.
His legal team claims that his morbid obesity and sciatica could complicate the lethal injection procedure, potentially causing severe suffering or a botched execution.
The Florida Attorney General's Office disputes these claims, asserting that the state's execution protocol is constitutional and that Tanzi's arguments lack credible evidence.
Governor Ron DeSantis signed Tanzi's death warrant on March 10, 2025, following his conviction for the 2000 kidnapping and murder of Janet Acosta.
Legislative discussions in Florida are considering expanding execution methods to include firing squads or nitrogen gas, though lethal injection remains the current standard.