Florida Death Row Inmate Scheduled for Execution After Gruesome Home Invasion
Background of the Case
Frank Athen Walls, a 58-year-old man, is set to be executed on Thursday evening at Florida State Prison in Starke, following his conviction for the brutal murders of Edward Alger and Ann Peterson during a home invasion in July 1987. This case has drawn significant attention due to its violent nature and the subsequent appeals that have challenged the execution process.
The Crimes Committed
On the night of the invasion, Walls broke into the mobile home of Alger, an airman stationed at Eglin Air Force Base, and his girlfriend Peterson. After tying the couple up, Alger managed to fight back, prompting Walls to fatally cut his throat and shoot him in the head. Walls then turned his weapon on Peterson, killing her during a struggle. Following the incident, he was arrested the next day after his roommate reported his suspicious behavior. Evidence linking him to the crime was found in his home, and he later confessed to the killings.
Legal Proceedings and Appeals
Walls was originally sentenced to death in 1988, but his conviction was overturned by the Florida Supreme Court, leading to a retrial in 1992 where he was again sentenced to death. Throughout the years, additional DNA evidence linked him to other violent crimes, including the rape and murder of Audrey Gygi in May 1987. As part of a plea deal, Walls admitted to other murders, avoiding further trials. Despite numerous appeals based on claims of intellectual disability and medical issues, the Florida Supreme Court recently denied his latest requests for clemency.
Execution Details
The execution is scheduled to commence at 6 p.m. on Thursday, using a lethal injection protocol that involves three drugs: a sedative, a paralytic, and a drug to stop the heart. This execution will mark Florida’s 19th of the year, setting a new state record for executions in a single year, surpassing the previous record of eight set in 2014.
Florida’s Execution Landscape
In 2025, Florida has conducted more executions than any other state in the U.S., with a total of 46. This escalation in executions has raised discussions about the state’s capital punishment policies and their implications. Florida’s method of execution has consistently involved lethal injection, which is prepared in accordance with strict protocols established by the state Department of Corrections.
As the scheduled execution date approaches, the case continues to highlight the ongoing debates surrounding the death penalty, mental health considerations in capital cases, and the implications of a growing execution rate in Florida.
