Florida Executes Inmate James Robertson for Cellmate Murder

<p>James Robertson, a 63-year-old inmate in Florida, was executed on Tuesday after being convicted of murdering his cellmate in 2008. Robertson received a three-drug injection at Florida State Prison and was pronounced dead approximately 10 minutes later.</p><p>When asked for a final statement, Robertson declined, responding, "Nah, I’m straight."</p><p>His execution followed a recent incident in Tennessee where Christa Pike survived a botched execution attempt. Jordan Kirkland, a spokesperson for the Florida Department of Corrections, stated that Florida's lethal injection process is designed to be humane and dignified.</p><p>Robertson had pleaded guilty to first-degree murder for strangling his cellmate, Frank Hart, who was set to be released just eight days before his death. Robertson indicated he committed the murder in hopes of receiving the death penalty.</p><p>Rebecca Hart, the daughter of the victim, expressed her grief, stating, "When someone you love is taken from you in such a violent way, the world keeps moving, even when a part of yours feels like it has stopped." Hart had been sentenced to prison in 2003 for sexual battery.</p><p>Robertson's criminal history began at age 17, with convictions for burglary and assault, leading to a lengthy prison sentence.</p><p>On the day of Robertson's execution, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis withdrew a death warrant for another inmate, William Lee Thompson, due to concerns about his mental competency and health. Thompson, who has dementia, remains on death row.</p><p>This marks the first time DeSantis has withdrawn a death warrant. He has previously signed multiple death warrants, leading to a significant increase in executions in Florida, with 19 carried out last year, the highest in a single year since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976.</p><p>Florida has executed 17 inmates in 2026, with two more executions scheduled for October and November. Last year, the U.S. saw a total of 47 executions, the highest since 2009.</p><p><i>The Associated Press contributed to this report.</i></p>