A 74-year-old Florida man was executed on Thursday for his conviction in the 1992 fatal stabbing of his wife, making him the oldest inmate in modern state history to be put to death.Dusty Ray Spencer was pronounced dead at 6:10 p.m., after officials executed him using a three-drug injection at Florida State Prison near Starke."Sorry, sorry to the family.Into thy hands I commit my spirit and my soul.
I’m on my way, Lord.I’m on my way.
Amen," Spencer said when asked if he had any final words.After a few minutes of labored breathing, he ceased all movements.The warden then shook Spencer and shouted his name several times without a response.
He was checked by a medic and pronounced dead.FLORIDA BREAKS 50-YEAR EXECUTION RECORD WITH NINTH DEATH SENTENCE CARRIED OUT THIS YEARDusty Ray Spencer, 74, was executed on Thursday for his conviction in the 1992 fatal stabbing of his wife.(Florida Department of Corrections)Spencer was convicted in November 1992 of the first-degree murder of his wife, Karen Spencer.
Her family did not release a statement following his execution.According to Florida Department of Correction records dating back to 1924, the oldest inmates previously executed by the state were both 72 — Samuel Lee Smithers on Oct.14, 2025, for the 1996 killings of two women, and R.
Charlie Gifford on Feb.21, 1951, for the 1950 shooting death of state Rep.
Charles Schuh Jr.Another 74-year-old Florida inmate, Dennis Sochor, is scheduled to be executed on July 14 for his conviction in the killing of a woman just hours after midnight on New Year's Day in 1982 after meeting her at a New Year’s Eve party.The oldest person executed in modern times in the U.S.was Walter Leroy Moody Jr., 83, who was put to death in Alabama in 2018, for sending mail bombs during a wave of Southern terror, killing a federal judge and a Black civil rights attorney.Spencer's execution was the ninth in Florida so far this year.FLORIDA MAN WHO WRESTLED COP'S GUN AWAY AND KILLED HIM TO B...