# Florida's Execution Spree Threatens Innocent Man > Florida's execution spree risks killing an innocent man despite his claims of innocence. - Title: Florida's Execution Spree Threatens Innocent Man | Shortify - Summary: Florida's execution spree risks killing an innocent man despite his claims of innocence. Jason Derrick, 59, faces execution in Florida despite claiming… - Keywords: florida, execution, jason derrick, ron desantis, death penalty, union correctional institution, raiford florida, death row, exoneration, death warrant, Florida's, Spree - Source: Rolling Stone — https://rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/florida-executions-ron-desantis-jason-derrick-death-penalty-1235647241 - Author: Brenna Ehrlich - Published: 2026-10-25T14:00:00+00:00 - Read time: 1 min - Topics: florida, execution, jason derrick, ron desantis, death penalty, union correctional institution, raiford florida, death row, exoneration, death warrant ## Jason Derrick's Early Memories Shawn Derrick recalls visiting his father in prison as a child, playing tag with him. > I remember having to go through a strip search when I was still in diapers at the state prison ## Jason Derrick's Prison Sentence Jason Derrick, 59, was sentenced to death for the 1987 stabbing murder of Rama Sharma. > Jason Derrick, 59, was sentenced to death for the 1987 stabbing murder of Rama Sharma ## Family's Concerns Shawn Derrick, 39, believes his father is innocent despite his prison sentence. > I remember my teacher saying, Oh, honey, people don’t go to jail forever for wrecking cars ## Florida's Execution Spree Florida has executed 37 people in the past two years, with 18 as of October 2026. > Over the past two years, Florida has executed 37 people ## Death Penalty Laws Florida requires a unanimous jury vote on at least one aggravating factor for death sentences. > As of April 2, 2023, to hand down a death sentence, the jury must unanimously agree on at least one aggravating factor ## Exoneration Rates Florida has 30 exonerees since 1973, the most in any U.S. state. > There have been 30 exonerees since 1973 ## Governor DeSantis' Role Governor Ron DeSantis has signed death warrants for inmates who have completed direct appeals. > DeSantis has refused to share information about why he has scheduled so many executions this year ## Elderly Executions Florida executed 80-year-old Dominick Occhicone, the oldest person on death row since 1987. > He’d been on death row since 1987 ## Veterans Executed DeSantis ordered the execution of 14 veterans, including Vietnam vet Williams Reeves Jr. > As of this week, DeSantis has also ordered the execution of 14 veterans ## William Lee Thompson William Lee Thompson was spared execution due to dementia concerns. > DeSantis only halted one execution over his nearly eight years in office ## Political Motivations Critics claim DeSantis' execution pace aligns with Trump's death penalty policies. > I can’t tell you what’s motivating Governor DeSantis ## Innocence Project Findings DNA evidence shows Jason Derrick did not commit the 1987 murder. > In 2008, the Innocence Project discovered that the DNA found under Sharma’s nails didn’t belong to Derrick ## Jason Derrick's Claim of Innocence Jason Derrick claims he was framed and confessed under duress. > Jason Derrick was arrested for the June 25, 1987 murder of Rama Sharma ## What Happens Next Jason Derrick's family fears his execution could happen before he's cleared. > Shawn Derrick is pro-death penalty, but is convinced his father is innocent, and he’s not alone ## Key takeaway Jason Derrick, 59, faces execution in Florida despite claiming innocence for a 1987 murder he says he didn't commit.