Florida Will Execute James Robertson on October 13
Governor Ron DeSantis signed the death warrant for the 63-year-old inmate convicted of his cellmate's 2008 murder.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Criminal Justice
Florida will execute inmate James Robertson on October 13, 2026, following the signing of a death warrant by Governor Ron DeSantis. Robertson was sentenced to death in 2012 for the 2008 murder of his cellmate, Frank Hart.
Why it matters
Robertson, who has been in state custody since 1980, waived his right to further state and federal post-conviction appeals after stating he killed his cellmate to gain access to death row conditions. His upcoming execution represents the 17th carried out in the state this year.
The 63-year-old inmate is scheduled for execution at the Florida State Prison in Starke. He was originally sentenced to death in 2012 after pleading guilty to the first-degree murder of Frank Hart at Charlotte Correctional Institution.
The players
Ron DeSantis
He is the Governor of Florida who holds the executive authority to sign death warrants.
James Robertson
He is a 63-year-old inmate currently in the custody of the Florida Department of Corrections.
Frank Hart
He was the cellmate of James Robertson and the victim of the 2008 murder.
Florida Supreme Court
This is the highest judicial body in the state which reviewed and upheld the conviction of James Robertson.
The details
Robertson utilized a homemade garrote constructed from tube socks to strangle and suffocate Hart while he was sleeping in their shared cell. The Florida Supreme Court affirmed both his conviction and his capital sentence in 2016.
Timeline
Robertson entered Florida state custody in 1980.
The murder of Frank Hart occurred on December 10, 2008.
A circuit court judge sentenced Robertson to death on December 18, 2012.
The Florida Supreme Court upheld the sentence in 2016.
The scheduled execution will take place on October 13, 2026.
Legal Context
This case follows the precedent established by the Florida Supreme Court's 2016 sentencing review protocols. It highlights the state's continued application of the death penalty despite the inmate's decision to waive his post-conviction appeal rights.
The scheduled execution will take place at the Florida State Prison in Starke, which is located in Bradford County. Local residents and officials in the area generally experience minimal disruption during these administrative procedures.
The takeaway
The case underscores the finality of the judicial process when inmates choose to waive further appeals. This development serves as a reminder of the state's active role in carrying out capital sentences through current executive orders.
Further reading
Learn more about capital punishment proceedings in the Florida Criminal Justice section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Tampa Free Press.
