Duane Owen Executed 6/15/2023
On June 15, 2023, the State of Florida executed Duane Owen. It was the fourth execution in the state in 2023.
Last night, the State completed its fourth execution of 2023, executing Duane Owen. It was the State’s 103rd execution. (The full list can be found here.)
It was the first time since 2013 that the State executed a person who claimed to be insane at the time of execution.
The DOC briefings were not livestreamed. WPTV News (Palm Beach) reported (based on information from the 3:30 DOC briefing) that Owen woke up at 7:00 a.m. and had his last meal at 9:45 a.m. His last meal consisted of “a bacon cheeseburger with no bun, onion rings, strawberries, a vanilla milkshake, cherry ice cream and a coffee.” DOC reported that Owen did not have any visitors.
Owen did not make a final statement. When asked if he wanted to, Owen said “no” while keeping his eyes closed. However, prison officials provided the press with the following written statement by Owen early yesterday morning:
Owen was pronounced dead at 6:14 p.m.
News articles about the execution:
Victims’ family members witnessed execution
The State’s argument in the execution-related litigation was that the completion of the execution was in the public interest due to the victims’ interests in finality.
According to a report from WPTV yesterday morning, family members of both of Owen’s victims’ planned to witness the execution. One family member said the execution would not bring closure to the family. A family member of the other victim said the execution is what the family wants.
Karen Slattery’s sister spoke after the execution. A video is available here.
A TFDP reader sent this photo of Karen Slattery’s gravesite:
Owen’s pen pals stood vigil
Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty reported that Owen’s “pen pals and friends” brought childhood photos of him to the vigil at Florida State Prison.'
Prior TFDP coverage of Owen’s case
The background of Owen’s case can be found here.
Background on the statutory process and the proceedings in Palm Beach County is available here.
The history of Rule 3.811 is here.
The Governor’s Executive Order temporarily staying the execution to allow for the Commission’s examination of Owen is covered here.
The Governor’s determination after the Commission’s report is covered here.
The four-part series on the history of Owen’s mental illness can be found here:
The transcript from the Bradford County’s case management conference on May 26 is summarized here.
An update on the pending litigation related to Owen’s execution as of May 31, 2023, is here.
Owen’s Motion seeking review of the Governor’s determination and the evidence attached to the Motion is covered here.
The first day of testimony in Bradford County is covered here.
The second day of testimony in Bradford County is covered here.
The Bradford County trial court’s ruling is covered here.
The Florida Supreme Court’s decision on Owen’s appeal of the Palm Beach County court’s orders is covered here.
Litigation update as of June 6, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. is here.
Litigation update as of June 7, 2023, at 8:00 a.m. is here.
The State’s Answer Brief and Owen’s Reply Brief are covered here.
The Florida Supreme Court’s decision affirming the Bradford County court’s determination that Owen is sane to be executed is covered here.
Owen’s petition for writ of habeas corpus filed in the federal court on Friday, June 9, is covered here.
The federal district court’s denial of Owen’s motion for emergency stay over the weekend is covered here.
Owen’s petition for writ of certiorari filed at SCOTUS on Monday is covered here.
The State’s responses to Owen’s SCOTUS filings are covered here.
The federal district court’s denial of Owen’s petition for writ of habeas corpus is covered here.
SCOTUS’s denial of Owen’s petition for writ of certiorari is covered here.
Florida is now second in the country for the number of executions this year—behind Texas, which has completed five executions. The Death Penalty Information Center has the full list of executions completed in the country this year.
My thoughts are with everyone involved in the warrant and execution process.
All other states needs to follow
It's time these criminals needs to see that hurting families by taking a loved one from them has consequences and will be carried out
5 years should be the maximum of time given on death row
If a person admitted guilt of taking another person's life and there is evidence to prove they are sane and that they actually took the person's life then the guilty party should be clearly taking out of society and not kept alive using taxpayers money and getting to live because their victims didn't have the choice to live also
Enforce the law AMERICA don't give a person the death penalty then wait 20,30,40 years to carry it out.
The family deserves closure and not to be put though pain again year's later