Florida executes Michael Lambrix

Florida executes man convicted of 2 killings decades ago

Florida executed an inmate Thursday who was convicted of killing two people after a night of drinking decades ago.

Michael Lambrix, 57, died by lethal injection at 10:10 p.m. at Florida State Prison in Bradford County.

For his final words, Lambrix said, "I wish to say the Lord's Prayer." He recited the words, ending on the line "deliver us from evil," his voice breaking slightly at times.

When he finished and the drug cocktail began flowing through his veins, Lambrix's chest heaved and his lips fluttered. This continues for about five minutes, until his lips and eyelids turned silver-blue and he lay motionless. A doctor checked his chest with a stethoscope and shined a light in both of his eyes before pronouncing him dead.

Corrections spokeswoman Michelle Glady said Bryant's sister was the only victims' family member to attend and she did not wish to speak with reporters afterward.

Lambrix was the 2nd inmate put to death by the state since it restarted executions in August.

Before then, the state had stopped all executions for months after a Supreme Court ruling that found Florida's method of sentencing people to death was unconstitutional. In response, the state Legislature passed a new law requiring death sentences to have a unanimous jury vote.

Lambrix's attorney, William Hennis, argued in an appeal to the nation's high court that because his client's jury recommendations for death were not unanimous — the juries in his two trials voted 8-4 and 10-2 for death — they should be thrown out. The Florida Supreme Court has ruled that Lambrix's case is too old to qualify for relief from the new sentencing system.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday night denied Lambrix's last-ditch appeal.

Lambrix was convicted of killing Clarence Moore and Aleisha Bryant in 1983 after a long night of partying in a small central Florida town, Labelle, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) northeast of Fort Meyers. Lambrix said he was innocent.

He and his roommate, Frances Smith, had met the victims at a bar, and returned to their trailer to eat spaghetti and continue the party, prosecutors said.

At some point after returning to the trailer, Lambrix asked Moore to go outside. He returned about 20 minutes later and asked Bryant to come out as well, according to Smith's testimony.

Smith testified at trial that Lambrix returned to the trailer alone after the killings, his clothes covered in blood. The two finished the spaghetti, buried the two bodies and then washed up, according to Smith's testimony cited in court documents.

Prosecutors said Lambrix choked Bryant, and used a tire iron to kill Moore. Investigators found the bodies, the tire iron and the bloody shirt.

Lambrix has claimed in previous appeals that it was Moore who killed Bryant, and that he killed Moore only in self-defense.

"It won't be an execution," he told reporters in an interview at the prison Tuesday, according to the Tampa Bay Times. "It's going to be an act of cold-blooded murder."

Lambrix's first trial ended in a hung jury. The jury in the second trial found him guilty of both murders, and a majority of jurors recommended death.

He was originally scheduled to be executed in 2016, but that was postponed after the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in a case called Hurst v. Florida, which found Florida's system for sentencing people to death was unconstitutional because it gave too much power to judges, instead of juries.

Florida's Supreme Court has ruled that the new death sentencing system only applies to cases back to 2002.

Lalmbrix becomes the 2nd condemned inmate to be put to death this year in Florida and the 94th overall since the state resumed capital punishment in 1979. Only Texas (543), Virginia (113), and Oklahoma (112) have executed more inmates since the death penalty was re-legalized in the USA on July 2, 1976.

Lambrix becomes the 19th condemned inmate to be put to death this year in the USA and the 1461st overall since the nation resumed executions on january 17, 1977. There are 10 more scheduled executions in the country throughout the remainder of this year; there were 20 executions in the USA

in 2016.

Sources: Associated Press & Rick Halperin, October 6, 2017

➤ Related content:

• Date With Death: Contemplating My Last Words, by Michael Lambrix
• Death Row Journals, A collection of thoughts, opinions and essays by Michael Lambrix, on Florida's death row for 30 years
• Personal Essay: Witnessing The Last Chapter In Florida Death Row Inmate Mike Lambrix's Story

REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: Witnessing the execution of Michael Lambrix

How would you spend your last day on Earth, if you knew the date?

Nearly a month ago, when I witnessed the execution of Mark James Asay, I never expected it would be something I would do again. Especially so soon after.

Here I am, just weeks later, Thursday, October 5, 2017, after having just viewed the execution of Michael Lambrix.

After Asay’s execution on Thursday, August 24, 2017, I reflected greatly on the experience (READ: https://t.co/01DqUtVLlb).

It is a reflection not based on opinion, but rather observations. It is true, there is great divide over the merits of the death penalty, but it is not my job to enter that debate. That’s a debate for government and society.

As a journalist, and one of five reporters selected to witness the execution of Michael Lambrix, I hope this insight offers a perspective into the process.

At 10:10 p.m. on Thursday, October 5, 2017, the State of Florida carried out its execution of Michael Lambrix.

Lambrix is the 25th death row inmate executed in the terms of Florida Governor Rick Scott, and the second inmate executed since Florida resumed executions. In 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court forced Florida lawmakers to rewrite the state’s death penalty law to now require a unanimous jury recommendation before a judge can sentence a convict to death. The legal challenges now focus on an arbitrary 2002 date, whereas those convicted after 2002 can have their sentences converted to life sentences, but those convicted prior to 2002 have no retroactive freedoms. They will be executed whether they had a unanimous jury recommendation or not. Asay and Lambrix were both convicted by juries of their crimes, but neither were sentenced to death with a unanimous jury recommendation.

Lambrix was convicted, and sentenced to death, for the 1983 murders of Clarence Moore and Aleshia Bryant.

In an open, damp field, minutes after a rainstorm, the group of five media witnesses was picked up in a white van from a makeshift media staging area. We were taken on a two minute drive to the front gates of the Florida State Prison. A vast 1960's era prison, guarded by manned towers and tall fencing that holds up a minefield of razor-sharp barbed wire.

We were taken inside the Florida State Prison, and I remember my mind already running through the mode of having been through all of this same déjà-vu not that long ago. We were not allowed to bring anything with us. We had to leave behind jewelry, keys, lanyards. The usual essentials. We were allowed nothing but an ID card, a single car key, and five $1 bills. The money we were told could be used for the vending machines in the waiting area we'll be held, should there be a delay of any kind.

Asay’s execution was carried out on schedule; Lambrix’s was not.

Escorted into a canteen waiting room, we were each given a manila envelope with a hand sized notebook and two #2 pencils. Every reporter used their's to feverishly write down each observation. I’m using my notes to provide a bit of a REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK.

Before we went in, we were told Lambrix stayed up much of the night before.

He was given a few hours (8 a.m. – 11 a.m.) to spend with family, which included his parents, siblings, and two children.

In the course of that visitation, at 9:30 a.m. Lambrix indulged in his final meal: a Thanksgiving style dinner.

It seemed to have all of the fixins.

Turkey breast and drumstick

Giblet gravy

Stuffing

Mashed Potato

Sweet Potato with brown sugar

Mixed vegetables with butter

Soft dinner roll with honey butter

Pumpkin pie with whipped cream

Chocolate milk

Vanilla caramel Gelato ice cream

Not bad, considering all “last meals” have to be prepped at the prison and cost no more than $40.

The Thanksgiving meal had significant meaning to Lambrix. It was the meal his mother promised to make him if he was ever exonerated.

On the Tuesday before his execution, Lambrix became the first death row inmate in more than a decade to grant a group media interview. My colleague, Maxine Bentzel, was among a small group of reporters to talk with Lambrix from death row.

WATCH: https://t.co/9mRFLE8llj

Lambrix maintained his innocence, even going on to say that Thursday night would “not be an execution, but cold blooded murder.”

Everything about this time was very different from my first experience.

Much seemed the same for a while.

5:06 PM | We were held in a canteen room with beige walls, rusty windows, and 15 blue, white, and steel tables. Each with four seats. This canteen room is where non death row inmates can visit with family members on visitation days. There were a two Coke machines and a snack machine. Much of the junk food was cheese based. It’s a bit weird. Cheetos, CheezIts, Cheese sticks, jalapeno cheese dip. It was all there. You could also have your pick between cookies and a honey bun.

Like last time, we were brought in about an hour before the scheduled execution. We anticipated final preparations are underway. Our mindset would soon change as the clock kept ticking and we remained in the holding room.

6:54 PM | It’s nearly an hour past the deadline and we remain in a holding pattern. Our Department of Corrections minders have little information. Like us, they’re on a technology blackout, without access to phones and information from the outside. Before going into the prison, I checked my phone one last time and found no news from the U.S. Supreme Court, so at this point the five media witnesses were discussing the merits of SCOTUS taking a course of action. But, time will only tell.

9:34 PM | “Get ready”. It was a quick and abrupt warning after holding for nearly 3.5 hours. For hours now, the media witnesses had exchanged hypothetical legal arguments. Could Justice Clarence Thomas be finding credence in the arguments made on behalf of Lambrix? Which elements? Something with Hurst v. Florida? An argument about DNA evidence? As time ticked on, we knew hope remained for Lambrix to receive at the least a Stay of Execution. He’s been here before, in the 1980s.  But the tone of “Get ready” gave quick and immediate direction, and we each knew at this point, the Supreme Court had denied a request for a Stay and the execution would be moving forward.

9:37 PM | The media group is brought out of the holding room, and like last time, escorted down a long beige-colored corridor. Floor to ceiling cells and bars. We loaded up into a white Ford passenger van. It was our chariot for a 45 second drive across the prison campus where we unloaded at another building. We were greeted with a blue door with a small window. We knew beyond this door, a man's final fate was near.

I glanced up at the dark sky, illuminated by a nearly full moon and pass clouds.

9:42 PM | We walk through the blue door, and led into the familiar witness room.

There are four rows, 10 seats in each.

17 witnesses were already seated. 11 women and 6 men. I know the sister of Aleisha Bryant was among them.

Their faces, reflected in the front viewing glass.

Their attention never diverted. It was as though they had no idea we were walking in. Each of their heads remained looking forward, at the reflective glass window with the drawn black curtain.

The media members take our seats in the last row. I’m in the fourth seat from the wall. Now seated, we all looked straight ahead at the near 4.5 foot by 12 foot window, curtain still drawn.

9:53 PM | The dark curtain is raised, giving view to Michael Lambrix. Thick, brown leather straps tie his body to the gurney. He’s not wearing the glasses he wore during the interview this week with Maxine.

He is covered in a white sheet, his forearm exposed where a series of IV lines are plugged into his body.

Lambrix’s head is tilted up ever so slightly, just enough so his eyes can look ahead, seemingly straight through the witness room glass. His eyes fixed ahead as if he can see someone on our side of the glass. His eyebrows moving at times as if he’s signaling someone.

He was joined in the execution chamber by three men, all wearing suits and ear pieces. Two of them I assume were members of the execution chamber, the third was a member of Florida Department of Law Enforcement whose job it was to keep tedious record of everything that happens on the paper on the clipboard in his hands.

9:54 PM | The warden asks Michael Lambrix if he has any final statement to make.

Lambrix replies: “Yes sir, I do. I wish to recite the Lord’s Prayer.”

In a fainted tone, seemingly choked up, Lambrix continues: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.”

9:55 PM | The warden proclaims “…the preparation phase has ended. The execution phase will begin.”

With that, a quiet, yet lethal process begins.

Lambrix’s head remains tilted upward ever so slightly, so he can keep a locked gaze ahead, toward the witness room glass. This was unlike Asay who keep his eyes up, toward the ceiling. It was as though Lambrix wanted to make eye contact with each person there.

My eyes are fixed on Lambrix. I could see his chest moving visibly up and down as he takes in and releases heavy, rapid breaths. About one every two seconds.

9:56 PM | It is evident the first round of drugs have now been injected. Lambrix rests his head flat, his eyes now closed.

9:57 PM | His chest rises up and down, with the heavy breaths.

9:58 PM | His breathing is still noticeable, but it’s becoming more faint, less rapid, and not as deep.

9:59 PM | The execution warden approaches Lambrix, flicks his eyes a few times with no response. He then grabs Lambrix by the shoulders and begins to shake him for a few seconds. Again, no response.

From Asay’s execution, I understand this is to ensure the first drug is working appropriately, and that Lambrix is unconscious. This was crucial, because Florida is the first state to use a drug called Etomidate in the lethal injection process. It's the first drug injected and supposed to ensure the inmate/patient is unconscious. This is also to eliminate any pain from the soon to come lethal potassium acetate drug. Reading the DOC’s policy book, I’m timing in my mind that the Etomidate and first round of saline has been given, and next will be the drugs that first relaxes Lambrix’s muscles, paralyzing him, and then the potassium acetate.

10:00 PM | There remains no visual or verbal reactions from anyone inside the execution chamber, nor the witnesses. I take note that this appears to be the first sign of Lambrix’s lips turning darker in color, a blue/purplish tone.

10:02 PM | Things seem to almost be standing still. You can’t see anything happening, but you know something is. The drugs are taking effect. This is that moment you ponder the quiet, anticlimactic transition from life… to death.

Time would seem to essentially stand still for the next 8 minutes.

10:10 PM | A male physician draws open a curtain in the back of the execution chamber, and walks in. He approaches Lambrix, using a stethoscope to check for a pulse and perform a brief physical exam. The doctor checks Lambrix’ eyes. There seems to be no signs of life. He turns to the execution warden, says a few words, assumingly confirming that Lambrix is now dead. The warden picks up the phone on the wall close by. The phone is connected to the Governor’s office, and the warden is likely informing them the execution has been carried out. A formal announcement is then made. The State of Florida has carried out the sentence of death against Michael Lambrix at 10:10 p.m. (Thursday, October 5, 2017).

It was a calm, anticlimactic journey (from a witness perspective) that took just 15 minutes. 

I remember it was 11 minutes for Mark James Asay. 

I recall again being fixed on a single question and idea. Is this justice?

We did not have the opportunity to speak with the victims’ families, neither during Asay’s execution nor Lambrix’s execution. I wonder, what motivated them to be here tonight. Do they feel a sense of “justice”?

State of Florida Lethal Injection Procedure: https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/files/pdf/FlorLethInject.pdf

Source: Greg Angel - News Anchor/Reporter (via his Facebook page)

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"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,
but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde