Death row inmate's final words over 30 years after killing his wife

A 74-year-old man, who became the oldest person to be executed in Florida since records began in 1924, apologised to his victim’s family minutes before his lethal injection. Dusty Ray Spencer, who had previously argued that he was too old to face the death penalty, was executed on Thursday.

He had been in prison since his conviction for the 1992 fatal stabbing of his wife, Karen. Moments before receiving a three-drug lethal injection at Florida State Prison near Starke, Spencer was asked by the warden whether he wished to make a final statement. He responded: “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.”

Minutes later, Spencer ceased all movements. The warden then shook and called the inmate’s name, receiving no response. A medic then checked his vital signs and Spencer was ultimately declared dead.

Last week, the state Supreme Court rejected Spencer’s appeals. His attorneys argued that his underlying health conditions, including liver disease, could subject him to an increased risk of pain and suffering during execution. They also argued that executing him at his old age would violate the constitutional prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.

“Dusty’s legal team is arguing that Florida’s lethal injection protocol is unconstitutional, as there are concerns about the drugs being used and how that will interact with his liver condition,” the Catholic Mobilizing Network, which opposes the death penalty, previously wrote.

The next oldest inmates previously executed in Florida’s modern history were both aged 72. The state is scheduled to execute another 74-year-old inmate next month.

In December 1991, Spencer was arrested after choking and threatening to kill Karen Spencer. He called his wife from jail and chillingly warned that when he got out, he was going to finish what he had started.

On January 18, 1992, Spencer beat Karen’s son with a clothes iron when the boy tried to stop the man from attacking his mother, officials said.

About a week later, the teenager heard a commotion outside the family home and discovered Spencer striking his mother in the head with a brick.

When police arrived, after the boy had run away to get help, they found Karen Spencer dead with several stab wounds to the chest, court records show.

Spencer was initially sentenced to death in 1992 after being convicted of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault and aggravated battery.

In 1994, the Florida Supreme Court ordered his new sentencing after finding that the trial court had mishandled evaluating aggravating and mitigating circumstances. Spencer was resentenced to death the next year, and subsequent appeals were denied.