Richard Knight is scheduled for execution in Florida on May 21, 2026 for the 2000 murders of Odessia Stephens and Hanessia Mullings.
At trial, despite the fact that there was evidence presented of significant trauma, medical issues, and neurological impairment, the court found no “statutory mitigation”. That is absurd, given the lifetime of abandonment, abuse, sexual violence, and untreated medical issues that Richard survived.
There are a myriad of issues in this case that remain unsolved:
- A jury that never heard a complete picture of his life, mental health, or health issues
- He was repeatedly sexually assaulted as a child
- As he grew older, he developed seizures, blackouts, head trauma, severe headaches—at times so severe that he banged his head on hard surfaces.
- Forensic evidence pointing to an unidentified individual
- a latent fingerprint left on the blade of the murder weapon that does not match Richard Knight and remains unidentified to this day
- Richard’s team is seeking to run the print through modern AFIS databases to see if the fingerprint can be matched to someone in national systems
- Scientific questions that have never been fully explored
- And a rushed process that leaves no time to answer them
- This “fire drill” process raises serious concerns about whether the courts — and the public — have had a full and fair opportunity to evaluate the case before the State carries out an irreversible act.
The narrative above was shared by our partners at Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty.
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 Richard Knight on May 21, 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 Richard Knight.“
REGISTER FOR THE 5/21 EXECUTION VIGIL BEGINNING AT 5PM ET.
This is the eighth 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.