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A convicted double-murderer executed in Florida used his last breath to express his gratitude.
Officials at Stark say Michael Bernard Bell, 54, was put to death by lethal injection Tuesday evening and used his last words to express his appreciation to the executioner.
“Thank you for not letting me spend the rest of my life in prison.” A statement that contradicts the argument for using the death penalty as a deterrent.
Bell was convicted in 1995 for a double murder outside a Jacksonville bar. He was also linked to three other murders for killing a woman and her toddler son in 1989. Then, just four months before the bar double murder in 1993, he also killed his mother’s boyfriend, according to officials.
Bryan Griffin, Florida State Prison spokesperson, says before getting the spike at 6 p.m., Bell enjoyed a an omelet with a side of bacon, home fries and orange juice for his last meal.
This was the 26th execution in the U.S. this year, which marks a ten-year high. Bell was the eighth inmate to be executed in Florida in 2025.
On the last day of July, Florida will execute its ninth death row prisoner, Edward J. Zakrzewski.