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2w ago

Michael Tanzi Executed in Florida for 2000 Murder of Miami Herald Employee

Tanzi, 48, was put to death by lethal injection after last-minute appeals were denied, marking Florida's third execution this year.

Michael Anthony Tanzi
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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

  • Michael Tanzi was executed at 6 p.m. EDT at Florida State Prison for the abduction, rape, and murder of Janet Acosta in April 2000.
  • The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Tanzi's final appeal earlier in the day, allowing the execution to proceed as scheduled.
  • Tanzi, described by law enforcement as a 'fledgling serial killer,' confessed to Acosta's murder and another killing in Massachusetts, though he was not charged for the latter.
  • Acosta, a respected Miami Herald employee, was remembered by family and colleagues for her kindness, creativity, and dedication to her community.
  • The execution reignites national discussions about capital punishment, particularly concerning health-related challenges to lethal injection protocols.