local
74-year-old man becomes oldest inmate executed in modern Florida history
By Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· June 25, 2026
· 4 min read
A 74-year-old man convicted of fatally stabbing his wife became the oldest person executed in Florida's modern history on Thursday, and the state is scheduled to execute another 74-year-old inmate next month. Dusty Ray Spencer was pronounced dead at 6:10 p.m. followinga three-drug injection at Fl...
Key takeaway Dusty Ray Spencer was pronounced dead at 6:10 p.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
While the upcoming execution of Dusty Ray Spencer in Florida may seem distant from San Antonio , the case has implications for the broader conversation about capital punishment in Texas. As one of the states with the most active death penalty regimes, Texas has often been compared to Florida in terms of execution rates. The fact that Florida is on track to surpass its own record for executions in a year, with Governor Ron DeSantis overseeing a significant increase, may put pressure on Texas officials to reexamine their own stance on the issue. San Antonio residents may be interested to note that Texas tied with Alabama and South Carolina for second place in executions last year, with five carried out in 2025. As the debate over capital punishment continues, San Antonio's community will likely be watching developments in Florida and other states to inform their own perspectives on this complex issue.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A 74-year-old man convicted of fatally stabbing his wife became the oldest person executed in Florida's modern history on Thursday, and the state is scheduled to execute another 74-year-old inmate next month. Dusty Ray Spencer was pronounced dead at 6:10 p.m. followinga three-drug injection at Fl...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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