Michael Tanzi Executed in Florida for 1997 Murder of Miami Herald Employee Janet Acosta
Michael Tanzi, a 65-year-old man, was executed by lethal injection in Florida on Tuesday for the 1997 murder of Janet Acosta, a Miami Herald employee. Tanzi, who weighed nearly 500 pounds at the time of his execution, had been on death row since his conviction. The execution took place at Florida State Prison in Starke, marking the state's third execution of the year.
Tanzi admitted to the murder of Acosta, whom he killed during a robbery at her home. His last meal consisted of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and gravy, and his final words were an apology to Acosta's family. The case drew attention due to Tanzi's significant weight gain during his time in prison, raising questions about the logistics and ethics of executing a morbidly obese individual.
The execution was carried out despite last-minute appeals, with the U.S. Supreme Court denying a stay of execution. The case has reignited debates about the death penalty in Florida and across the United States, with advocates on both sides of the issue weighing in on the morality and effectiveness of capital punishment.
