William Thompson was scheduled for execution in Florida on October 13, 2026, for the 1976 murder of Sally Ivester. His execution warrant has been withdrawn due to significant physical and mental health deterioration.

'Bill' received a clemency hearing in 1981. Though the death sentence was overturned and later reimposed, he has never received another clemency opportunity since. Despite this, state officials told his attorneys that clemency has already been denied.

Now in his mid-70s, he is very ill. He needs assistance with all basic activities of daily living (bathing, toileting, transfers between bed and wheelchair, etc.) In addition to the physical limitations he lives with, Bill also lives with late-stage dementia. Death row is no place for someone in such a condition.

An execution by lethal injection in this state would cause an extraordinary amount of suffering. In addition to his heart failure, chronic kidney disease, severe liver disease, blood clots in both lungs, pneumonia, severe malnutrition, dementia, and broken ribs, he has a stage-four pressure wound on his tailbone. He also recently underwent abdominal surgery to place a colostomy bag.

Florida did not thoroughly consider his intellectual disability. Evidence of his disability has existed for decades... he was recommended for special education at a young age. He was characterized as a "follower", easily influenced by others.

Bill sought relief after the U.S. Supreme Court prohibited the execution of people with intellectual disabilities in 2002. Florida initially denied his claim using a rigid IQ cutoff that the U.S. Supreme Court later found unconstitutional.

In 2016, the Florida Supreme Court ordered a full hearing on Mr. Thompson’s intellectual disability. That hearing never happened. After the court changed its rules about which older cases could benefit from the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision, Mr. Thompson’s hearing was canceled.

"The Clemency Board never heard the full story of Mr. Thompson’s intellectual disability, childhood abuse, vulnerability to his co-defendant, dementia, or severe medical decline. It also never considered that the jury recommending his current death sentence was divided 7–5.

Clemency is intended to provide one final opportunity to consider circumstances that the courts have not fully addressed. Mr. Thompson’s attorneys argue that Florida denied him that opportunity entirely."

You can find more information on the web page of our allies at Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty.

Join the Virtual Sit In

Call Gov. DeSantis at 850-717-9337 with the following message:

"Hi. My name is [your name]. I am calling to urge Gov. DeSantis to reverse course and halt all plans to execute William Thompson on October 13, 2026. As someone who purports to follow Christian teachings, it is deeply disappointing that he does not extend these teachings to the individual condemned to death in the state of Florida. Please do not move forward with the execution of William Thompson."

REGISTER FOR THE 10/13 VIRTUAL VIGIL BEGINNING AT 5PM ET.

This is already the 17th death warrant of 2026, following an unprecedented execution pace in 2025, when Florida led the nation with 19 executions. Florida is on track to exceed this tragic and dark record in 2026.

While most states have moved away from the death penalty, Florida is accelerating executions at an alarming rate. Each warrant signed underscores the state’s embrace of a punishment that is arbitrary, racially biased, and out of step with evolving standards of decency.

Please sign the petition asking Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida State Board of Executive Clemency to do everything within their power to stop this execution, including issuing a stay, and seeking a path to clemency in the case.