STARKE, FL – A 74-year-old Florida man was executed Thursday evening, marking the oldest inmate put to death in the state’s modern history.
The Execution
Dusty Ray Spencer was pronounced dead at 6:10 p.m. at the Florida State Prison near Starke. Officials carried out the sentence using a standard three-drug lethal injection.
When asked for final words, Spencer expressed remorse to the family, stating, “Sorry, sorry to the family. Into thy hands I commit my spirit and my soul.”
The 1992 Conviction
Spencer was convicted in November 1992 for the brutal first-degree murder of his wife, Karen Spencer, in January of that year.
According to case records, Spencer had a history of domestic threats against his wife. On the night of the murder, he attacked his wife’s teenage son with an iron when the boy tried to intervene. The teen attempted to defend his mother with a rifle, but the weapon misfired, allowing Spencer to fatally attack his wife.
Historical Significance in Florida
At 74, Spencer breaks the state record for the oldest inmate executed since Florida began tracking Department of Correction data in 1924. The previous record-holders were both 72 years old.
This execution marks the ninth death penalty sentence carried out in Florida so far this year. It follows a historic 2025, during which Florida set a state record by executing 19 people—more than any other state in the nation.
Upcoming Executions
The state’s death row timeline shows no signs of slowing down. Another 74-year-old inmate, Dennis Sochor, is currently scheduled for execution on July 14 for a high-profile 1982 murder conviction.
