Jacksonville, Fla. – After 18 months with no executions in Florida, a death warrant has been signed for Mark Asay to be executed on Thursday, August 24, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. Asay received two death sentences for the murders of Robert Lee Booker and Robert McDowell. If carried out, this will be the first time that Florida executes a white person for the murder of a black person.

Earlier this year, legislation was signed requiring juries be unanimous in recommending death sentences. Although Asay’s jury was not unanimous, his case became final before the June 24, 2002, U.S. Supreme Court’s decision Ring v Arizona. Death cases that were final before then are not being remanded to lower courts for resentencing as are death sentences that were final after that date. Attorneys continue to argue this partial retroactivity in addition to a new execution drug protocol.  

Through advances in our penal system, the Catholic bishops of Florida believe the state can keep society safe from an aggressor and justice can be served without resorting to the deliberate taking of a person’s life. Everyone, even people who have caused great harm, possess a human dignity that is sacred. State-sanctioned killing is unwarranted, promotes vengeance rather than justice, and reinforces a growing disrespect for the sacredness of all human life.

The community is invited to join members of the Diocese of St. Augustine as they gather to pray for both victims and aggressor, their families, and for a society which continues to impose violence in return for violence, and for an end to the use of the death penalty at the following locations and times:

Bradford County
Across the highway from the Florida State Prison Execution Building, Starke, 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. Drive eight miles west of U.S. 301 on Florida Highway 16 West. Contact: Miriam Elliott at (352) 278-4342 or by email: mark1343@juno.com.    

Duval County
In front of the new Duval County Unified Courthouse, 501 W. Adams Street, Jacksonville, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Contact: Jackie Gunning at (904) 449-3328 or email: jacqueline.gunning@bmcjax.com or Sister Maureen Kelley, OP at (904) 704-0313 or email: mkelleyop@att.net.  

Flagler County
In front of the Flagler County Courthouse, 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., 1769 E. Moody Blvd, Bunnell. Contact: Don Gregg, (386) 445-9637 or by email: dgregg2@cfl.rr.com or John Bangert at (386) 246-2970 or by email: astrodude9000@gmail.com.   

St. Johns County
In front of the St. Augustine Beach City Hall at the corner of A1A and 16th Street, 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. Contact: Nancy O’Byrne at (904) 422-2618 or by email: obyrnen@bellsouth.net.