Attorneys representing a death row prisoner in Florida have made a last-minute effort to stop his upcoming execution, arguing that his weight could complicate the lethal injection process.
Claims of Obesity and Medical Concerns
Michael Tanzi, 48, has been on death row since 2003 after being convicted of the 2000 murder of Janet Acosta.
Now, with his execution scheduled, Tanzi’s lawyers are raising serious concerns about his medical condition.
They argue that Tanzi, who is “morbidly obese,” suffers from sciatica, a nerve condition that could create complications during his execution.
According to his legal team, the lethal injection procedure, which uses a three-drug combination, could cause him unnecessary pain and suffering.
They claim that due to his weight, the drugs may not fully sedate Tanzi, potentially leaving him paralyzed but conscious, with an excruciating sensation of being burned alive from the inside.
This, they argue, would violate the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects against cruel and unusual punishment.
Florida’s Response and Rejection of Claims
The Florida Attorney General’s office has vehemently denied these claims.
In a legal brief filed on Wednesday, they accused Tanzi’s defense team of waiting until his death warrant was signed to raise concerns about the execution procedure.
They argued that the lethal injection method used in Florida, which includes the drug etomidate, has been successfully used in previous executions without issue.
The state further asserted that Tanzi had been fully aware of his medical condition, including his obesity and back issues, long before now, and that the current injection protocol had been in place since 2017.
They also contended that there is no evidence to support the claim that the drugs would fail to sedate Tanzi.
Legal Developments and Future of Tanzi’s Execution
Tanzi’s attempt to have his execution halted was recently rejected by a county circuit judge.
As a result, his legal team has appealed to the Supreme Court. Unless there is a last-minute intervention, his execution is set for April 8, 2025.
Tanzi’s conviction stems from a violent and horrifying crime in April 2000, when he assaulted Janet Acosta, a woman he encountered during her lunch break.
After forcibly entering her car, he kidnapped, sexually assaulted, and eventually murdered her before fleeing in her car.
Tanzi was later apprehended when authorities found him driving Acosta’s vehicle.
A Long Legal Battle
Tanzi was sentenced to death in 2003, and his death sentence was upheld following an appeal in 2007.
Despite numerous legal motions since then, his sentence has remained intact, and now, with just days to go before his execution, his legal team is making a final effort to stop it.
Governor Ron DeSantis signed Tanzi’s death warrant on March 10, and unless the courts intervene, Tanzi’s execution will proceed as planned.