STOP the Execution of Richard Knight

Florida intends to execute Richard Knight on May 21 for the 2000 murder of Odessia Stephens and her daughter, Hanessia Mullings.

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.”

When Richard was born, he was placed into an orphanage by his mother without a birth name or birthdate. As a child he and his brother suffered prolonged sexual abuse and ultimately Richard developed several medical conditions which included severe and persistent headaches, migraines, and seizures. Sometimes these were so severe that he would strike his head against a hard surface to attempt to stop the pain.

The state has argued that Richard acted alone in committing these murders. Yet a fingerprint was found on the murder weapon which does not match his. Counsel is requesting that the state of Florida run this fingerprint through their database.

The state of Florida continues to recklessly pursue executions at an unprecedented pace. At the same time, state authorities continue to block legal representatives from accessing records that would determine whether the method of execution that is being used would violate the Constitution’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. 

The state’s insistence on proceeding with executions under such secrecy is dangerous and deeply troubling.

Contact Governor DeSantis and the Florida Board of Executive Clemency today to oppose this execution and reject the state of Florida’s killing spree.