Samuel Lee Smithers
Samuel Smithers, 72, was put to death by lethal injection at Florida State Prison in Raiford on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, according to the Florida Department of Corrections. His attorneys argued that executing a man of his age violated the Eighth Amendment's ban on cruel and unusual punishment. The Florida Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court rejected those appeals. Officials pronounced him dead at 6:15 p.m.
Cause of death, as reported: Executed by the state. His attorneys argued that executing a man of his age violated the Eighth Amendment, but the Florida Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court rejected those appeals.
Reported by: Florida Department of Corrections (the agency that held him); Vocal.media roundup of 2025 U.S. executions (reporters); his attorneys; the Florida Supreme Court (court); the U.S. Supreme Court (court).