Key Takeaways:
- Frank Athen Walls, a 58-year-old man, was executed in Florida for fatally shooting a man and his girlfriend during a home invasion robbery.
- Walls was convicted of two counts of murder, two counts of kidnapping, burglary, and theft, and was sentenced to death in 1988.
- The execution was the 19th in Florida this year, a record for the state, and the 47th in the US this year.
- Walls apologized to the victims’ families before the execution, stating that he was sorry for the pain and suffering he caused.
- The US Supreme Court denied Walls’ request for a stay of execution, and the execution was carried out without any complications.
Introduction to the Execution
The state of Florida has carried out its 19th execution this year, a record for the state, with the death of Frank Athen Walls, a 58-year-old man who was convicted of fatally shooting a man and his girlfriend during a home invasion robbery. Walls was pronounced dead at 6:11 pm following a three-drug injection at Florida State Prison near Starke. The execution was carried out without any complications, according to a spokesman for Governor Ron DeSantis.
The Crime and Conviction
Walls was convicted of two counts of murder, two counts of kidnapping, burglary, and theft, and was sentenced to death in 1988. The conviction was later reversed by the Florida Supreme Court, and Walls was retried and resentenced to death in 1992. According to court records, Walls broke into the 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 Walls, who then cut Alger’s throat and shot him in the head. Walls also attacked and shot Peterson as she struggled.
Walls’ Apology and Execution
Before the execution, Walls apologized to the victims’ families, stating that he was sorry for the pain and suffering he caused. "Good evening, everyone. I appreciate the opportunity to say what’s on my heart. If any of the members of the family are here, I am sorry for all of the things I did, the pain I caused, and all of that you have suffered all these years," Walls said, shortly before the drugs began flowing. The execution was carried out using a three-drug injection, which is the standard method used in Florida.
Background on the Case
Walls was arrested the day after the bodies were found, after his roommate tipped off police about his odd behavior. During a search of the home, investigators found items from the crime scene, and Walls later admitted to the killings. In addition to the murders of Alger and Peterson, Walls was also linked to the May 1987 rape and killing of a woman, Audrey Gygi, and 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.
Florida’s Execution Record
The execution of Frank Athen Walls marks the 19th execution in Florida this year, a record for the state. Governor DeSantis has ordered more executions in a single year than any Florida governor since the death penalty was reinstated in the US in 1976. The previous state record was eight executions in 2014. DeSantis has stated that his goal is to bring justice to victims’ families who have waited decades for the death sentences to be carried out.
National Context
The execution of Frank Athen Walls is part of a larger trend of increased executions in the US this year. A total of 47 men have died by court-ordered execution so far this year, 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 this year, followed by Alabama, South Carolina, and Texas with five each. The US Supreme Court denied Walls’ request for a stay of execution, allowing the execution to proceed as scheduled.
Conclusion
The execution of Frank Athen Walls marks a significant milestone in Florida’s use of the death penalty. As the state continues to carry out executions at a record pace, it is likely that the debate over the use of capital punishment will continue. While some argue that the death penalty is a necessary tool for justice, others argue that it is a cruel and inhumane practice that should be abolished. Regardless of one’s views on the death penalty, it is clear that the execution of Frank Athen Walls is a significant event that will have far-reaching implications for the state of Florida and the nation as a whole.
