Frank Athen Walls the 47th execution nationwide in 2025

The 47th Execution of 2025

 A man convicted of fatally shooting a man and woman during a home‑invasion robbery, and later confessing to three other killings, was executed on December 19, 2025. It was Florida's 19th execution so far this year, reported CBS News. 

Frank Athen Walls, 58, received a lethal injection starting at 6 p.m. at Florida State Prison near Starke. Walls was convicted of two counts of murder and two counts of kidnapping, burglary and theft. He was sentenced to death in 1988. The Florida Supreme Court later reversed the conviction and ordered a new trial, and Walls was again convicted and sentenced to death in 1992.

Thursday's execution is Florida's 19th in 2025

Thursday's execution was Florida's 19th in 2025, further extending a state record for total executions in a single year.

According to court records, Walls broke into the Florida Panhandle mobile home of Eglin Air Force Base Airman Edward Alger and his girlfriend, Ann Peterson, in July 1987. Walls tied the couple up, but Alger managed to break free and attack him. Walls cut Alger's throat and shot him in the head when the airman continued to fight. Walls then turned to Peterson and shot her as she struggled.

Walls was arrested the day after the bodies were found when his roommate tipped off police about Walls' odd behavior. During a search of the home, investigators reported finding items from the crime scene, and Walls later admitted to the killings.

After his conviction, DNA evidence linked Walls to the May 1987 rape and murder of a woman, Audrey Gygi. Walls pleaded no contest, avoiding another trial and a possible death sentence. Walls also admitted responsibility for the killings of Tommie Lou Whiddon in March 1985 and Cynthia Sue Condra in September 1986 as part of a deal with prosecutors.

Attorneys for Walls filed appeals in state court claiming that his intellectual disability and other medical issues should disqualify him from execution, but the Florida Supreme Court ruled against Walls last week. Appeals were still pending before the U.S. Supreme Court.

A total of 46 prisoners have died by court-ordered execution so far this year in the U.S., and more than a dozen other people are scheduled to be put to death in 2026. 

Florida has executed more people than any other state in 2025

Since the U.S. Supreme Court restored the death penalty in 1976, the highest previous annual total of Florida executions was eight in 2014. Florida has executed more people than any other state this year, followed by Alabama, South Carolina and Texas with five each.

All Florida executions are conducted by lethal injection using a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, according to the state Department of Corrections.

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