A Florida man has been executed over the murders of two ladies in 1996, the state has introduced.

Michael Zack III, 54, was killed by deadly injection at Florida State Prison at 6.14pm on Tuesday.

His closing phrases have been: “I love you all.”

Zack was executed for the killing of bartender Ravonne Smith, who he befriended earlier than beating and stabbing her with an oyster knife.

He additionally killed Laura Rosillo, a lady he met in a bar, and was sentenced to life in jail for her homicide.

In 1996, whereas at a Tallahassee bar he was an everyday at, he was informed by his girlfriend he was being evicted, resulting in him being provided the bartender’s truck – however Zack took it and by no means returned.

He then visited a bar in Niceville the place a building firm provided to let him keep over – however as an alternative he stole two weapons and $42.

It was at one other bar he met Ms Rosillo, and invited her to the seashore to take medicine – however he beat her, dragged over into some dunes and strangled her, courtroom information say.

The following day, Zack met Ms Smith, and took her to the seashore to smoke marijuana, earlier than heading off to her residence.

While there, it’s mentioned he hit her over the pinnacle with a bottle, raped her and stabbed her 4 occasions within the chest, then made off with the tv, video participant and her purse.

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He tried to pawn the digital items, however the retailer suspected they have been stolen and Zack fled to an empty home for 2 days earlier than he was caught.

He admitted killing Ms Smith, saying he was enraged and beat her when she commented on the homicide of his mom, which was was carried out by Zack’s sister.

Zack additionally informed investigators he believed she was going to get a gun from one other room, claiming he was performing in self-defence.

There had been a final minute plea from Zack’s attorneys to cease the execution, who argued he suffered from foetal alcohol syndrome and post-traumatic stress dysfunction – however the keep of execution was declined by the US Supreme Court.

Zack’s execution is the sixth this yr and eighth underneath Governor Ron DeSantis, who’s trying to make the loss of life penalty a central a part of his presidential marketing campaign.