STOP the Execution of Billy Kearse

Florida intends to execute Billy Leon Kearse on March 3, 2026 for the 1991 murder of Police Sgt. Danny Parrish.

We oppose this execution as we do every execution. Capital punishment is an act of state-sanctioned violence that violates the sacred dignity of every human life. In the words of Saint Pope John Paul II, “The dignity of human life must never be taken away, even in the case of someone who has done great evil.” 

Billy’s case is inextricably linked to the racism and anti-poverty bias in our criminal legal system.

He was only 18 years old when he killed Fort Pierce Police Sgt. Danny Parrish during an altercation that occurred during a traffic stop. Expert evaluations have demonstrated that Billy has an intellectual disability and suffered from extreme neglect as a child in addition to indicators consistent with fetal alcohol syndrome. 30 years later, he is not the same 18 year old who was charged with this crime. He is a self-taught artist who creates intricate paintings with limited resources to share with his friends and family, and he is a faithful man who speaks openly of his remorse for his actions.

Billy was originally sentenced by a non-unanimous jury and resentenced to death after the first sentence was vacated due to procedural errors. One of his jurors, who served despite objections from the defense that she had prior knowledge of the crime, said that the presence of multiple police officers in the courtroom during Billy’s sentencing had a significant impact on the jury’s decision. 

Every person deserves the right to an impartial jury.

After conducting 19 executions last year, the highest annual total in state history, Florida has set an early precedent of scheduling executions every two weeks. It is urgent that we lift our voices to oppose this spree of death and violation of the dignity of life.

Please contact Governor DeSantis and the Florida Board of Executive Clemency today.