The state of Florida has executed Deacon Samuel Smithers, 68, by lethal injection for the 1996 murder of escort Angela Crowley, bringing a tragic chapter to a close nearly three decades after the brutal crime.
Smithers received his lethal injection at Florida State Prison in Starke at 6:14pm local time on Tuesday and was pronounced dead just 12 minutes later. The execution proceeded without complications, marking Florida's fourth capital punishment case this year.
The Final Hours
In his last moments, Smithers declined to make a formal final statement to witnesses. His last meal, consumed the afternoon before his execution, consisted of a simple cheeseburger, french fries, and a bottle of water.
The convicted murderer spent his final day receiving visits from family members and spiritual advisors. According to prison officials, he appeared calm and resigned as his execution time approached.
A Brutal Crime Remembered
The execution stems from the horrific December 1996 murder of 45-year-old Angela Crowley, an escort who was brutally beaten and stabbed multiple times in Smithers' Jacksonville apartment.
Court records reveal the gruesome details of the crime: Crowley suffered 17 stab wounds and multiple blunt force injuries during the attack. Prosecutors argued that Smithers murdered Crowley after she attempted to leave his residence.
Justice Delayed
Smithers' path to execution spanned nearly three decades of legal battles. Originally sentenced to death in 1998, his case saw multiple appeals and resentencings before final confirmation of his capital punishment.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed Smithers' death warrant in August, setting the stage for Tuesday's execution. The victim's family, who had waited 28 years for justice, witnessed the execution, finding closure in the final chapter of their long ordeal.
The case highlights Florida's continued use of capital punishment, with three additional executions scheduled through 2025, maintaining the state's position as one of America's most active in carrying out death sentences.
