Florida Executes David Pittman for 1990 Triple Murder

The state of Florida on Wednesday evening executed David Pittman, 63, by lethal injection for the 1990 killings of his wife’s sister and her parents, a case that gripped Polk County over three decades ago and has remained a flashpoint in debates over capital punishment.

The Florida Department of Corrections confirmed that Pittman was pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m. local time (2212 GMT) at Florida State Prison in Starke. His execution marks the 12th carried out by Florida this year, more than any other state, and the 31st nationwide, making 2025 the deadliest year for executions in the United States since 2014.

Court records show that Pittman was convicted in 1991 of fatally stabbing 21-year-old Bonnie Knowles, the sister of his estranged wife, along with her parents, Clarence, 60, and Barbara, 50, before setting their home on fire in an attempt to cover up the crime. Prosecutors said the murders were premeditated and stemmed from family tensions during Pittman’s failing marriage.

Jurors deliberated for just two hours before unanimously recommending the death penalty. In his final days, Pittman’s legal team argued that his execution should be halted, citing evidence that he was intellectually disabled, with an IQ score near 70. But both state and federal courts rejected his appeals, ruling that he was competent to face execution.

2025: A Record Year for U.S. Executions

Pittman’s death adds to a growing tally of executions in the U.S. this year, which has already surpassed the totals seen in recent years. The last time the U.S. carried out more executions was in 2014, when 35 prisoners were put to death.

Florida leads the nation in executions in 2025, followed by South Carolina and Texas, which have each carried out four. In total, 26 executions this year have been by lethal injection, the primary method of capital punishment in the country. Two were carried out by firing squad, both in South Carolina, while three inmates were executed using nitrogen hypoxia, a controversial method that induces death through oxygen deprivation.

Human rights groups and U.N. experts have condemned nitrogen hypoxia as cruel and inhumane, calling for its suspension. Florida, however, has continued to rely on lethal injection, though opponents argue that the process carries a risk of botched procedures and prolonged suffering.

National Debate Over Capital Punishment

The case has reignited debate over the death penalty in the U.S., which remains legal in 27 states. Three others, California, Oregon, and Pennsylvania, maintain official moratoriums, effectively halting executions despite having inmates on death row.

Supporters of capital punishment argue that it provides justice for victims’ families and serves as a deterrent for the most heinous crimes. Opponents, however, point to concerns about wrongful convictions, racial disparities, and the mental capacity of those sentenced to death.

“Executing someone with intellectual disabilities raises serious moral and legal questions,” said Robert Dunham, former director of the Death Penalty Information Center, in a statement. “Cases like Pittman’s highlight why many states are reconsidering whether the death penalty can be applied fairly and consistently.”

A Divided Nation

Public opinion on capital punishment remains split. A recent Pew Research survey found that 60% of Americans support the death penalty for those convicted of murder, but support drops significantly when respondents are asked about life without parole as an alternative.

At the federal level, President Donald Trump has been an outspoken supporter of capital punishment. On his first day back in office in January 2025, he called for expanding its use “for the vilest crimes,” including some drug-related offenses and mass shootings.

For the Knowles family, Wednesday’s execution brought a measure of closure after a 35-year wait for justice. “We have prayed for this day,” a relative told local media outside the prison. “Our family can finally begin to heal.”

With four more executions scheduled in Florida before the end of the year, the state appears set to maintain its position as the nation’s most aggressive enforcer of capital punishment in 2025.

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