Three Florida exonerees urge new governor to pause executions
The men argue that increased funding for public defenders and mental health care is a better use of state resources than carrying out capital punishments.
By Alyssa Parker ·
Three men exonerated from Florida's death row met with the press in Tallahassee on Thursday to ask Governor-elect Byron Donalds to stop the state's capital punishment program. The group is asking the incoming administration to halt executions while the state addresses the legal failures that led to their convictions.
The speakers detailed their individual cases to explain the need for systemic change. Joaquin Martinez was convicted of a double murder in 1997 and later acquitted in 2001. Seth Penalver was convicted of triple murder and armed robbery in 1999, with his acquittal coming in 2012. Herman Lindsey was convicted of robbery and murder in 2006 before being acquitted in 2009.
The men proposed specific alternatives to the death penalty. They suggested the state direct more funds toward public defender resources, mental health programs, and education. They believe these investments will reduce the likelihood of wrongful convictions in the future.
Martinez argued that the current pace of executions has been problematic. He stated, "The US is not barbaric and Florida is not barbaric. It just needs to evolve it just needs to grow. These past two years have just been horrible when it comes to executions, we need to change that." Lindsey agreed, saying, "We need to put things into place so we are not putting people to death for things we failed to acknowledge."
Florida currently has 30 death row exonerees, the highest number in the country according to Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. The state also maintains one of the largest death row populations in the nation as of 2024. The three men plan to work with state lawmakers during the upcoming regular legislative session to draft legislation that supports death row prisoners.
