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Florida Supreme Court halts execution of former officer convicted of child rape and murder
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Florida Supreme Court halts execution of former officer convicted of child rape and murder

  • March 31, 2026

STARKE, Fla. (WCJB) – The execution of a former police officer convicted of child rape and murder is on pause.

James Duckett, 68, had been scheduled to die by lethal injection on Tuesday at Florida State Prison near Starke, but the Florida Supreme Court ordered a stay of his execution while a question around DNA testing is being resolved.

The court ordered an update on all pending issues by Thursday at 5 p.m.

Duckett was a police officer in Lake County before he was convicted of the 1987 rape and murder.

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