Anthony Wainwright Executed 6/10/25
Tonight, the State of Florida executed Anthony Wainwright, carrying out his sentence of death. It was the sixth execution in the State in 2025.
Tonight, the State of Florida executed Anthony Wainwright, carrying out his sentence of death for murdering Carmen Gayheart. Wainwright was 54 years old.
It was the sixth execution in the State in 2025. We have now reached the same number of executions the State completed the entire year of 2023. The full list can be viewed here.
Denial of Final Claims
Yesterday evening, the U.S. Supreme Court denied Wainwright’s two petitions that were pending in front of the Court. (More information on the petitions here.)
Around 6:30 p.m. yesterday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit denied Wainwright’s motion for stay of execution, finding that he had not “shown a substantial likelihood of success” on his claims:
The full decision can be downloaded here.
Late yesterday night, the Eleventh Circuit issued a decision affirming the district court’s dismissal of Wainwright’s federal claims. Very early this morning (before 5:00 a.m.), Wainwright’s attorneys filed a third petition at the U.S. Supreme Court seeking review of the Eleventh Circuit’s decision.
Two amicus briefs were filed in support of Wainwright’s petition:
The Supreme Court denied the petition around 5:30 p.m. just before the scheduled execution.
The filings for this case can be found here.
Information About the Execution
According to a DOC spokesperson (information received from John Koch), Wainwright woke up at 3:30 a.m. He was offered but declined a last meal.
Wainwright was pronounced dead at 6:22 p.m. According to NBC News, “Wainwright made a final statement, but the words were inaudible from the witness room.”
Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty posted the following statement obtained from Wainwright’s religious advisor as Wainwright’s written final statement:
Both proponents and opponents held vigil outside Florida State Prison where the execution occurred.
Members of the victim’s family spoke at the DOC press conference following the execution.
FADP Statement
FADP issued a statement about the execution that stated in part:
What is most troubling about Anthony’s case happened once his warrant was signed, and his execution date set. It was then that Anthony needed his lawyer to fight for him the hardest. What happened instead was the exact opposite, and every state and federal court where he sought refuge turned a blind eye.
His assigned lawyer had not seen Anthony in more than 10 years, and he refused to challenge Anthony’s death sentence. A retired lawyer, who had represented Anthony for several years in federal court, and who was still an active member of the Florida Bar, offered to represent Anthony in state court for free. She did not ask for any additional time or expense, just an opportunity for Anthony’s claims to be heard before the State killed him tonight.
His assigned lawyer refused to step aside, and refused to co-sign pleadings.
News Articles About the Execution
*This post will be updated with additional information about the execution as it becomes available, so check back for more information.
TFDP Prior Coverage of the Wainwright Warrant
2025 Executions
Below is a map of where the crimes occurred that led to the 2025 executions. The relevant county is also where the execution-related litigation is venued in each case.
My thoughts are with everyone involved in the warrant- and execution-related process.
In April 1994, Anthony Wainwright abducted, raped, and murdered Carmen Gayheart, a 23-year-old mother of two young children. Burn in Hell, Wainright.
THANK YOU GOV DESANTIS ❤️ We FINALLY have justice for my sister. No peace without Justice. He has gone on to where the punishment is instantaneous and ETERNAL 🔥
Carmen will never be forgotten.