By Heather Hollingsworth | Related Press
A person who kidnapped a lady from a Florida insurance coverage workplace and killed her is scheduled for execution in Florida underneath a loss of life warrant signed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Kayle Bates is ready to die Aug. 19 within the tenth execution scheduled for this 12 months. DeSantis signed the warrant Friday, simply three days after the state executed Michael Bell for fatally taking pictures two individuals exterior a Florida bar in 1993 as a part of an tried revenge killing.
Bell was the twenty sixth individual to die by court-ordered execution up to now this 12 months within the U.S., exceeding the 25 executions carried out final 12 months. It’s the highest whole since 2015, when 28 individuals have been put to loss of life.
Bates, now 67, was convicted of first-degree homicide, kidnapping, armed theft and tried sexual battery within the June 14, 1982, Bay County killing of Janet White.
Bates kidnapped White from the State Farm insurance coverage workplace the place she labored, took her into some woods behind the constructing, tried to rape her, stabbed her to loss of life, and tore a diamond ring from considered one of her fingers, based on a letter from Florida Legal professional Common James Uthmeier summarizing the historical past of the case.
Bates’ lawyer, James Driscoll Jr., mentioned in a telephone name Saturday that he can be submitting additional appeals within the case.
“We believe his execution would violate the U.S. constitution,” he mentioned.
Initially Printed: July 19, 2025 at 3:46 PM PDT
