Dusty Spencer is scheduled for execution in Florida on June 25, 2026, for the 1992 murder of his wife, Karen Spencer. Dusty was sentenced to death by a 7-5 jury vote. If Dusty's crime were to have occurred today, he wouldn't have received the death penalty.

The following information comes from our friends at Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty.

Read more from Dusty's spiritual advisor, Rev. Dr. Jeff Hood.

U.S. Marine Corps veteran Lance Corporal Dusty Ray Spencer is scheduled to be executed on June 25, 2026, after spending more than 34 years on Florida’s death row. He was sentenced to death for the 1992 murder of his wife, Karen Spencer.

As Florida continues its unprecedented pace of executions, it is preparing to execute a 74-year-old Marine Corps veteran whom five jurors believed should receive a life sentence, despite significant mitigating evidence, serious health issues, and more than 34 years spent growing old behind prison walls. Today, Dusty is elderly, seriously ill, deeply committed to his faith, and poses no threat to society.

Nearly Half of Dusty’s Jury Agreed He Should Live

When Dusty Spencer was sentenced, five jurors voted for a life imprisonment rather than death. Today, no person in Florida could receive a death sentence based on a jury vote like Dusty’s. Even under Florida’s exceptionally low standard for imposing a death sentence, a jury as divided as 7-5 would not be enough. Indeed, in every death penalty state in the country, Dusty would not even be eligible for a death sentence based on the jury vote in his case.

Dusty Served His Country Honorably

The trial court itself recognized significant mitigating evidence in Dusty Spencer’s life, including his honorable service in the United States Marine Corps. During his military service, Dusty participated in rescue missions in the Philippines and served his country with distinction before the events that brought him to death row. His military service does not excuse the harm caused by his crime, but it is an important part of the life story that jurors were asked to consider when deciding whether he should live or die. Five jurors decided that it mattered.

Dusty is Now and Elderly and Seriously Ill Man

Dusty Spencer is no longer the man who entered death row more than thirty years ago. He is now 74-years-old and suffers from serious illnesses including liver disease. Those who know him describe a person deeply committed to his faith and focused on living peacefully within the prison environment. He poses no risk to society and will never again live outside prison walls.

If the State carries out its sentence, Dusty will be the oldest person ever executed in Florida. It is ironic that a state that prides itself on how it treats its elders is so willing to extinguish the life of one.

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 Dusty Ray Spencer on June 25, 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 Dusty Spencer."

REGISTER FOR THE 6/25 VIRTUAL VIGIL BEGINNING AT 5PM ET.

This is already the tenth death warrant of 2026, following an unprecedented execution pace in 2025. Florida led the nation in executions in 2025 by setting its own record for executions with Governor DeSantis signing 19 death warrants last year. Let's make sure Florida does not repeat this 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.