Florida puts 77-year-old man to death for deputy’s killing in its 18th execution this year

Florida executed 77-year-old Vietnam veteran William Reaves via lethal injection at a state prison near Starke. This marks the state's 18th execution this year under Governor Ron DeSantis. Reaves was convicted of the first-degree murder of Indian River county deputy Richard Raczkowski in 1986. Despite a letter from fellow veterans urging a halt, the execution proceeded. Reaves was the eighth prisoner over age 70 put to death in Florida this year, reflecting an aging death-row population.