TALHASSEE – The Florida Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Catholic Bishops has asked Gov. Ron DeSantis to maintain the August 28 execution of Curtis Wyndham and commute to prison without parole.
Windom was sentenced to death for the 1992 murders of Johnny Lee, Valerie Davis and Mary Rubin. In a letter to Desantis, FCCB executive director Michael Sheedy expressed his grief for the victims and their families, but urged the governor to save Windom’s life.
“Every God-given human life is sacred,” writes Sheedy. “There is a way to punish another human life without ending it. Lifelong imprisonment without the possibility of parole.”
The bishops said such sentences ensure public safety, provide finality more quickly than the death penalty, and enable the possibility of repentance.
The Catholic Church opposes the death penalty and teaches that it undermines human dignity.
Prayer gatherings are planned in multiple locations in Florida prior to scheduled executions.
Below is a copy of a letter sent to Governor Desantis.
Dear Governor DeSantis:
We write to allow Curtis Wyndham’s execution stay and ask him to bring his writing back to life without parole.
Wyndham was convicted in 1992 of first-degree murder of Johnny Lee, Valerie Davis and Mary Rubin. I lament the tragic deaths of Mr. Lee, Mr. Davis and Mr. Rubin. May they find comfort to God. In fact, churches are still available to support pastoral care.
Wyndham’s actions were terrible. It is perfectly appropriate for the state to punish crimes of this nature very badly. Nevertheless, we urge you to save Mr. Wyndham’s life, even if we pray for the peace of the souls of our victims and the comfort of their survivors. All God-given human life is sacred.
There is a way to punish another human life without ending: lifelong imprisonment without the possibility of parole. It is a serious, even more humane punishment that guarantees social security, provides finality much more quickly than a death sentence, and allows the possibility of repentance to be sinned.
With you taking this request into consideration, we pray for you as well.
