On Tuesday, Florida faces what may be the 14th state-sanctioned execution this year — an unprecedented number in the state’s history. Samuel “Sammy” Lee Smithers, a 72-year-old man showing signs of dementia and severe cognitive decline, is scheduled to die. His case has become a powerful focal point for advocates of human dignity, justice, and the fight against the death penalty.
At Sustainable Action Now, we recognize that each execution represents more than a single life — it reflects society’s choices about justice, compassion, and accountability. This year, the stakes feel higher than ever, but within the darkness, voices of courage and grace remind us of what humanity truly looks like.
Courage in the Face of Tragedy: The Words of John Cowan
What makes Sammy Smithers’ case extraordinary is not only the legal questions it raises but also the extraordinary courage of Mr. John Cowan, father of one of the victims. Nearly three decades ago, in court, he implored the judge not to sentence Sammy to death. His words remain profoundly relevant today:
“My opposition to Mr. Smithers’ execution comes partly from a need to honor the memory of my beloved daughter, Christie, and not to subject her with more violence done in her name. Like it or not, Mr. Smithers is one of us, and like us he is also a child of God.
I don’t believe it’s the State’s place to decide when any person should die. That kind of judgment is something that only God is qualified to make.
If Mr. Smithers is sentenced to death, I will spend many more years without any resolution to this tragedy. And if he is actually executed, it will be for me the worst and most brutal possible kind of closure — something that will make me sick and ashamed for the rest of my life whenever I think of my beloved daughter, Christie.”
These words are more than testimony; they are a blueprint for moral courage. In the face of devastating loss, Mr. Cowan chose empathy over vengeance, compassion over hatred. At Sustainable Action Now, we draw strength and inspiration from such examples, recognizing that even in grief, humanity can prevail.
The Immediate Call to Action
As the execution approaches, thousands of petition signatures are being delivered to Governor DeSantis, urging clemency for Sammy Smithers. Advocates will gather at Florida State Prison for a 5 PM vigil on the day of the scheduled execution, bearing witness to the power of solidarity, public accountability, and moral conscience. Those unable to attend in person are encouraged to participate online or join local vigils across the state.
Even as attention focuses on Smithers, the work continues:
- Norman Grim, scheduled for execution on October 28, faces the same urgent need for intervention.
- Bryan Frederick Jennings, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran sentenced for the 1979 murder of Rebecca “Becky” Kunash, is scheduled for execution on November 13, just two days after Veterans Day. Bryan, who was only 20 years old at the time of the crime, has spent more than 45 years on Florida’s death row and faces execution without having received state postconviction counsel.
Why These Actions Matter
It can be exhausting to sign petition after petition, to attend vigil after vigil, or to wait for yet another death warrant. But every act of advocacy carries weight. Every signature, every voice, and every presence affirms that the state does not have to act unchecked — that we, as a society, have a responsibility to uphold justice while preserving humanity.
Moments like these remind us of what humanity looks like: families refusing to mirror violence with more violence, communities standing in moral alignment, and ordinary citizens taking extraordinary action to protect life and justice.
In the face of Florida’s record-setting executions, our persistence matters. It is a testament to resilience, compassion, and the unwavering commitment to justice.
The Broader Implications
These cases illuminate larger truths about the death penalty, systemic inequities, and the moral responsibilities of society:
- Age and Mental Health – Executing someone with dementia or severe cognitive decline raises profound ethical concerns about culpability and humane treatment.
- Due Process and Legal Representation – Multiple individuals on death row are facing execution without postconviction counsel, violating principles of fair trial and constitutional safeguards.
- Victim Families and Healing – As exemplified by John Cowan, healing does not require mirroring violence. True closure comes from justice that respects life, not perpetuates cycles of harm.
- Public Accountability – Citizens’ voices, petitions, and vigils demonstrate that government action is not separate from public morality. Democracy works best when people engage to defend both justice and humanity.
How You Can Take Action
You can make a tangible difference in the lives of those facing execution and in the moral direction of the state:
- Sign Petitions – Urge Governor DeSantis to grant clemency for Sammy Smithers, Norman Grim, and Bryan Jennings.
- Attend or Support Vigils – Show up in person or virtually to witness and advocate.
- Raise Awareness – Share stories of courage, compassion, and systemic concerns to educate your networks.
- Engage in Long-Term Advocacy – Support organizations that challenge the death penalty, promote criminal justice reform, and advocate for humane treatment of all incarcerated individuals.
Learn more about how to take action and support the fight against capital punishment at Sustainable Action Now – Death Penalty.
Choosing Compassion in a World of Violence
The story of Sammy Smithers, the courage of John Cowan, and the looming cases of Norman Grim and Bryan Jennings remind us that even in the darkest moments, humanity is possible. Compassion can exist alongside grief, and justice can coexist with mercy.
At Sustainable Action Now, we will continue to stand firm — signing petitions, organizing vigils, and amplifying voices that refuse to let the state act without accountability. Each execution avoided, each life spared, is a triumph of conscience and courage.
In a world where the machinery of punishment often moves relentlessly, our persistence, our collective voice, and our refusal to give up are what make true change possible. In the face of tragedy, we are still here. We are still standing. We are still fighting back.
Florida Breaks Record with 13th Execution in Modern Era
Florida has reached a grim milestone. The state recently carried out its 13th execution of the year, setting a modern-era record for state-sanctioned killings. This escalation in capital punishment underscores the urgent need for public awareness, advocacy, and action to address the human, ethical, and systemic consequences of the death penalty.
At Sustainable Action Now, we view each execution not as an isolated event, but as a reflection of the choices society makes about justice, morality, and the value of life. Every life lost to state-sanctioned execution is a profound moral reckoning — one that ripples through families, communities, and the very fabric of our democracy.
Understanding the Record: What This Means
Florida’s 13 executions this year surpass any previous year in the state’s modern history. The rise in executions has sparked national attention and widespread debate about the use of the death penalty in a democratic society that values due process, rehabilitation, and human rights.
Each execution represents a convergence of legal, ethical, and societal factors: from lengthy stays on death row, to questions about mental competence and age, to the impact on the families of victims and those condemned. In Florida, these cases reveal both systemic failures and the extraordinary courage of those who advocate for life and justice.
The Human Dimension: Stories Behind the Numbers
Statistics alone cannot capture the complexity of capital punishment. Behind every execution is a person, a family, and a community affected by profound grief and moral consequence.
One example that resonates deeply is the case of Samuel “Sammy” Lee Smithers, whose execution has drawn intense public attention. At 72, with signs of dementia and severe cognitive decline, his impending death raises pressing ethical questions about aging, illness, and the ability to comprehend one’s own punishment.
Equally compelling are the voices of victims’ families who have responded with grace and humanity. John Cowan, father of one of Sammy’s victims, publicly opposed the execution decades ago, stating:
“I don’t believe it’s the State’s place to decide when any person should die. That kind of judgment is something that only God is qualified to make.”
His words remind us that courage and compassion are possible even in the face of unimaginable tragedy.
The Broader Impact of Florida’s Execution Record
This surge in executions is not only a moral and ethical issue — it has significant legal and societal implications:
- Constitutional Concerns – Several individuals on death row face execution without full postconviction representation, raising serious questions about the fairness and legality of the process.
- Aging and Health Factors – Many of those executed, like Sammy Smithers, are elderly or suffering from cognitive decline, complicating the ethics of carrying out state-sanctioned death.
- Systemic Inequities – Capital punishment disproportionately affects marginalized communities, amplifying inequities in the justice system.
- Cultural and Moral Message – Each execution sends a societal signal about the acceptability of state-sanctioned violence and the use of the death penalty as a tool of justice.
Florida’s record-setting executions highlight the urgent need for advocacy, systemic reform, and public engagement.
Taking Action: What Can Be Done
Even as executions continue, there is power in public action. Thousands of people have already joined together to petition for clemency, attend vigils, and call on policymakers to reconsider life-ending sentences. Each effort matters.
You can take action today by:
- Signing petitions and sending messages to state leaders urging clemency for individuals on death row.
- Participating in vigils and public advocacy to demonstrate collective opposition to state-sanctioned executions.
- Educating your community about the ethical, legal, and systemic implications of the death penalty.
- Supporting reform-focused organizations that work to reduce the use of the death penalty and promote alternatives to state-sanctioned execution.
Learn more about how to stand against capital punishment and protect human dignity at Sustainable Action Now – Death Penalty.
Why This Matters
At Sustainable Action Now, we recognize that the fight against the death penalty is not just about individual cases — it is about shaping a society that values human life, justice, and fairness. Every person spared, every life preserved, and every voice raised in advocacy strengthens the moral foundation of our community.
Florida’s record-setting 13 executions serve as a stark reminder that the work is far from over. Yet within this challenge lies hope: the capacity of individuals, families, and communities to act with compassion, to speak out for justice, and to resist cycles of violence.
This is the essence of humanity. This is why we continue to fight. This is why your voice matters.
Closing Thought
In the face of Florida’s modern-era execution record, we must remember that the fight for life is ongoing. Each petition signed, each vigil attended, and each story shared represents a commitment to justice tempered by humanity.
Together, we can ensure that Florida and the broader United States move toward a future where the value of human life is recognized, compassion guides policy, and the death penalty is no longer a tool of modern justice.
Stand with us. Learn more, act, and advocate at Sustainable Action Now – Death Penalty.
