STARK, Fla. — A man convicted of kidnapping and murdering a woman in 1982 was executed on Tuesday evening at Florida State Prison. Kayle Bates, 67, received a lethal injection and was pronounced dead at 6:17 p.m., according to officials.

Bates’ execution marks the tenth carried out in Florida this year, contributing to the state’s record for executions in a single year. This trend shows that Florida has become a leader in capital punishment, with plans for two additional executions scheduled within the next month. The death warrant authorizing Bates’ execution was signed by Governor Ron DeSantis.

As the drugs were administered, Bates declined to make any final statements when asked, according to a spokesperson for DeSantis, Alex Lanfranconi. Florida uses a three-drug protocol for executions, which includes a sedative, a paralytic agent, and a drug intended to stop the heart.

Bates spent his final hours receiving visits from close family members, including his daughter, sister, and brother-in-law. He opted not to have a last meal or consult with a spiritual adviser, as noted by Ted Veerman, a spokesperson for the Florida Department of Corrections.

Bates was convicted of first-degree murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, and attempted sexual battery in connection with the 1982 abduction and murder of Janet White in Bay County. Court records detail how Bates kidnapped White from her workplace, took her into nearby woods, and subsequently killed her.

His legal team made attempts to halt the execution. They filed appeals to both the Florida Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court while also initiating a federal lawsuit. The lawsuit claimed that the death warrant process followed by the governor was discriminatory but was recently dismissed on grounds of flawed statistical arguments.

In the lead-up to his execution, the Florida Supreme Court rejected Bates’ pending appeals, which included claims suggesting that evidence of brain damage had not been adequately reviewed in previous hearings. The court determined that Bates had ample time to present these claims over the years. The U.S. Supreme Court also denied his final appeals to stay the execution.

The pace of executions in Florida stands in stark contrast to other states. Texas and South Carolina have each carried out four executions so far this year, while several other states have executed one or two individuals. Since taking office in 2019, DeSantis has signed at least 20 execution warrants and has not conducted a clemency hearing for any death row inmate.

With Bates’ death, the total number of U.S. executions in 2025 has reached 29, while at least nine more are scheduled nationwide. Historical data indicates that Florida has the highest number of exonerations from death row in the country, with 30 individuals cleared since the death penalty was reinstated in the state.

Looking ahead, Curtis Windom, convicted of murdering three people in 1992, is scheduled for execution on August 28. Additionally, David Pittman, who was found guilty of three murders in Polk County in 1990, is set to follow on September 17, further contributing to Florida’s notable rise in death penalty cases.