David Joseph Pittman is scheduled for execution at 6 p.m. on September 17 after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a death warrant on Friday.
The 63-year-old was convicted in 1991 for the brutal murders of his estranged wife’s parents and sister during contentious divorce proceedings in Polk County the year prior.
Why It Matters
The execution would mark Florida’s 10th this year, with Pittman representing the 12th death warrant issued for 2025.
This extends Florida’s record-breaking execution pace, surpassing the state’s previous annual high of eight executions set in 2014. Court documents show DeSantis also signed death warrants for two other inmates—Kayle Bates and Curtis Windom—who await execution later this month.
The Sunshine State has already executed nine people this year, more than any other state, while Texas and South Carolina are tied for second place with four executions each. The U.S. total of 28 executions this year matches 2015 levels and exceeds last year’s 25 executions.
What To Know
In May 1990, Pittman went to the Polk County home of his wife Marie’s parents, Clarence and Barbara Knowles, during their divorce proceedings. Pittman fatally stabbed the elderly couple along with their younger daughter, Bonnie. He then set the house on fire, stole Bonnie’s car, and burned it.
Evidence against Pittman included eyewitness testimony from someone who saw him running from the burning car and jailhouse informant testimony that Pittman had confessed to the killings. A jury convicted him on three counts of first-degree murder, plus arson and grand theft charges.
Florida Supreme Court case SC1960-78605 shows the case originated in the Circuit Court for the Tenth Judicial Circuit in Polk County, with the mandatory death penalty appeal docketed on September 16, 1991.
Court records reveal a complex legal history spanning over three decades, with the most recent docket entries showing an expedited appeals schedule.
What Happens Next?
The Florida Supreme Court will hear Pittman’s scheduled appeal, examining potential legal grounds for overturning his death sentence or conviction.
Court documents show defense attorneys have until 1 p.m. on August 29 to file any writ petitions, with the record on appeal due by 5 p.m. the same day. All further proceedings must be completed by no later than 11 a.m. on August 29.
Defense attorneys will likely file additional appeals with federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, in final attempts to halt the execution. The compressed timeline shows oral arguments may be scheduled at a later date if necessary.
If all appeals are unsuccessful, Pittman would be executed at Florida State Prison in Starke using lethal injection. Florida’s record execution pace shows no signs of slowing, with additional death warrants expected as Governor DeSantis continues efforts to clear the state’s death row backlog of over 300 inmates, placing Florida at the center of national death penalty discussions.
Reporting from the Associated Press contributed to this article.
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