Final words for Florida’s oldest death row inmate executed for wife’s murder revealed
Final words for Florida's oldest death row inmate Dusty Ray Spencer executed for wife's murder revealed
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Prime Day ends tonight! Score these last-minute deals US NewsFinal words for Florida’s oldest death row inmate executed for wife’s murder revealed
By Landon Mion, Fox News Published June 26, 2026, 1:35 a.m. ETSee more of our coverage in your search results.
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A 74-year-old Florida man was executed on Thursday for his conviction in the 1992 fatal stabbing of his wife, making him the oldest inmate in modern state history to be put to death.
Dusty Ray Spencer was pronounced dead at 6:10 p.m., after officials executed him using a three-drug injection at Florida State Prison near Starke.
“Sorry, sorry to the family. Into thy hands I commit my spirit and my soul. I’m on my way, Lord. I’m on my way. Amen,” Spencer said when asked if he had any final words.
After a few minutes of labored breathing, he ceased all movements.
The warden then shook Spencer and shouted his name several times without a response. He was checked by a medic and pronounced dead.
Spencer was convicted in November 1992 of the first-degree murder of his wife, Karen Spencer. Her family did not release a statement following his execution.
According to Florida Department of Correction records dating back to 1924, the oldest inmates previously executed by the state were both 72 — Samuel Lee Smithers on Oct. 14, 2025, for the 1996 killings of two women, and R. Charlie Gifford on Feb. 21, 1951, for the 1950 shooting death of state Rep. Charles Schuh Jr.
Another 74-year-old Florida inmate, Dennis Sochor, is scheduled to be executed on July 14 for his conviction in the killing of a woman just hours after midnight on New Year’s Day in 1982 after meeting her at a New Year’s Eve party.
The oldest person executed in modern times in the US was Walter Leroy Moody Jr., 83, who was put to death in Alabama in 2018, for sending mail bombs during a wave of Southern terror, killing a federal judge and a Black civil rights attorney.
Spencer’s execution was the ninth in Florida so far this year.
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In 2025, 19 people were put to death in Florida, setting a record for the most executions in one year in the Sunshine State.
Before last year, Florida’s record for executions in a year since the death penalty was restored in 1976 was eight in 1984 and 2014.
Florida also executed more people last year than any other state, with Alabama, Texas and South Carolina tied for the second-most with five each. Across the US, 47 people were executed in 2025.
Spencer was arrested after choking and threatening to kill his wife, Karen, in December 1991.
As he was sitting in jail, he called his wife and warned her that he would finish what he started when he was released.
On Jan. 18, 1992, Spencer beat his wife’s teenage son with a clothes iron when the teen attempted to stop Spencer from attacking his mother, according to officials.
About a week later, the boy went to check out a commotion outside their home and saw Spencer hitting his mother in the head with a brick.
The teen attempted to shoot Spencer with a rifle, but the gun misfired. Spencer threatened the boy with a knife, and the boy ran away to search for help.
When police arrived, Spencer’s wife was found dead with several stab wounds to the chest.
Spencer was initially sentenced to death in 1992, after he was convicted of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault and aggravated battery.
Two years later, the Florida Supreme Court ordered his new sentencing after finding that the trial court had mishandled evaluating aggravating and mitigating circumstances.
Spencer was resentenced to death the following year, and subsequent appeals were denied.
Last week, the state Supreme Court rejected Spencer’s appeals, and the US Supreme Court rejected a final appeal earlier on Thursday.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
