Stop the Execution of Darryl Barwick in Florida

Florida Board of Executive Clemency & Governor Ron DeSantis

Darryl Barwick is scheduled for execution in Florida on May 3, 2023 for the 1986 murder of Rebecca Wendt.

We firmly believe that Darryl should be separated from society and held accountable for his actions, which life without the possibility of parole satisfies.

Darryl was sent to death row at the age of 19. He endured a childhood filled with unimaginable horrors. His father wanted him to be aborted, so his mother threw herself down the stairs and abused drugs to try to make that happen.

As the youngest and most mentally vulnerable of seven siblings, Darryl was singled out for the brunt of the violence. Darryl's father beat him with rebar and wood on the construction job Darryl was forced to have as a child. He also witnessed his father raping his mother on repeated occasions.

He was diagnosed with brain damage and intellectual disabilities. Without intervention or treatment, it is no surprise that for Darryl, the cycle of violence sadly persisted.

None of this information about Darryl erases or excuses his crime, however due to his experiences in life we believe he is worthy of mercy. By commuting Darryl Barwick's sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole, you will send a message that the State of Florida cares about protecting people with serious mental illness, even those who commit horrific crimes.

Florida's return to executions in 2023, after more than three years of not pursuing them, marks the state as an outlier in its use of the death penalty. The majority of other states are on a downward trend of executions. 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.

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To: Florida Board of Executive Clemency & Governor Ron DeSantis
From: [Your Name]

We are writing to ask that you to stop the May 3, 2023 execution of Darryl Barwick in revenge for his 1986 murder of Rebecca Wendt​.

We stand together to urge you to stay the execution of Darryl Barwick, and commute his sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole. We firmly believe that Mr. Barwick should be separated from society and held accountable for his actions, which life without the possibility of parole satisfies.

By commuting Mr. Barwick’s sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole, you will send a message that the State of Florida cares about protecting people with serious mental illness, even those who commit horrific crimes.

We are concerned that while the vast majority of states with capital punishment continue on a downward trend of executions, Florida is going against this trend by resuming executions.

We, the undersigned, ask that you do everything within your power to stop this execution, including issuing a stay, and seeking a path to clemency in the case.