Florida carried out its 13th execution of the year on Tuesday evening at Florida State Prison, putting to death 61‑year‑old William Frances Silvia. The execution, performed by the state’s three‑drug lethal injection protocol, concluded at 6:11 p.m. after a brief period of observation by prison officials.
Details of the crime and conviction
Silvia was convicted of first‑degree murder for the fatal shooting of his estranged wife, Patricia Silvia, and of attempted first‑degree murder for wounding his mother‑in‑law, Betty Woodard, during a 2006 incident near Orlando. Court records show that Silvia purchased a shotgun earlier that year, drove to his mother‑in‑law’s home where a family cookout was taking place, and after an unsuccessful attempt to reconcile with his wife, retrieved the firearm from his truck and opened fire, killing Patricia and injuring Woodard.
Execution procedure
The execution chamber’s curtain opened at 6:00 p.m., revealing Silvia strapped to a gurney with an IV line in his arm. A spiritual adviser sat at his feet and prayed throughout the process. When asked for a final statement, Silvia apologized, saying, “I’m sorry all this happened. It was an accident. I never meant to hurt her.” After the administration of a sedative, a paralytic, and a drug to stop the heart, a prison warden checked Silvia’s responsiveness by shaking him and calling his name. A medical examiner declared him dead minutes later.
Family response
Patricia Silvia’s sister, Pamela Wyatt, addressed the media after the execution, noting that no amount of justice could return the “stolen years” lost to her sister’s death. Wyatt emphasized that while the execution could not bring Patricia back to her children and grandchildren, it offered an opportunity to remember her life beyond the tragic act.
Florida’s broader use of capital punishment
Florida has accounted for more than half of the 23 executions carried out across the United States in 2026, with two additional executions scheduled for September. The state also recorded the highest total nationwide in 2025, responsible for 19 of the nation’s 47 executions that year. Governor Ron DeSantis has signed more death warrants than any previous Florida governor, citing a desire to provide finality for victims’ families who have waited decades for sentences to be carried out. In 2023, DeSantis also signed legislation expanding capital punishment to individuals convicted of specific child sex‑abuse offenses.
Recent execution history
Tuesday’s execution follows Florida’s July 28 double execution, the first such event in the state since 1964 when James Duckett and Dominick Anthony Occhicone Jr. were put to death six hours apart.
Community impact
The execution underscores ongoing debates in Florida over the use of the death penalty, the rights of victims’ families, and the moral responsibilities of the state. Local faith communities have expressed both sorrow for the loss of life and support for the legal process that seeks to bring closure to those affected.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
