In a last-minute legal maneuver, attorneys for death row inmate Jeffrey Hutchinson filed a motion Wednesday with the Supreme Court of Florida seeking a stay of his scheduled execution. Hutchinson, who is slated to be executed on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., argues that he is mentally incompetent to understand his impending death and the reasons for it due to a Delusional Disorder.
Hutchinson, 62, is facing execution at Florida State Prison under a death warrant signed by Governor Ron DeSantis for the 1998 murders of his girlfriend, Renee Flaherty, and her three young children in Okaloosa County.
Hutchinson was convicted and sentenced to death for the murders of 9-year-old Geoffrey Flaherty, 7-year-old Amanda Flaherty, and 4-year-old Logan Flaherty, receiving a life sentence for the murder of Renee Flaherty.
According to the motion filed today, April 29, 2025, Hutchinson was evaluated by two mental health professionals on April 10th and 11th, 2025. These experts reportedly concluded that Hutchinson’s ability to rationally comprehend the nature and effect of the death penalty is impeded by a Delusional Disorder.
The motion states this disorder is characterized by delusions lasting at least a month, often involving beliefs of conspiracy, persecution, or harassment.
RELATED: Two Decades After Heinous Murders, Florida Supreme Court Greenlights Hutchinson Execution
In Hutchinson’s case, the motion claims he harbors a decades-long delusion that his conviction and sentence stem from a government conspiracy to silence him regarding his knowledge of “unsavory government activities” related to the Gulf War. The filing emphasizes that individuals with Delusional Disorder often show no other signs of impairment in daily functioning and may not exhibit typical symptoms of mental illness, leading them to rarely seek mental health services. Hutchinson’s reported refusal to be seen by mental health professionals is cited as consistent with this diagnosis.
The motion asserts that as a result of this condition, Hutchinson is “insane and incompetent to be executed” under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.811(b) and the precedent set by the U.S. Supreme Court case Panetti v. Quarterman.
READ :Suspected Cocaine Brick Discovered On Florida Beach
Hutchinson’s legal team argues that a stay of execution is necessary to allow the Supreme Court of Florida, the U.S. Supreme Court, and lower federal courts adequate time to consider his competency claim. The motion also raises “important constitutional issues” regarding Hutchinson’s execution under the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments that they believe warrant thorough consideration without the pressure of an imminent execution date.
The motion cites numerous past instances where the Florida Supreme Court has granted stays of execution when “substantial grounds upon which relief might be granted” exist, including cases involving meritorious postconviction claims, doubts about guilt or the integrity of the judicial process, and challenges to the validity of the death sentence.
READ: Florida Death Row Inmate Loran K. Cole Executed After 30 Years: Final Moments Witnessed By 19
Attorneys for Hutchinson contend that the mere two days remaining before the scheduled execution are insufficient for the court to adequately review the complex legal claims presented. They argue that denying Hutchinson full and fair access to the courts would violate his due process rights.
The motion concludes by urging the court to grant a stay, emphasizing that the significant and intricate nature of the claims, coupled with the evidence presented, necessitates more time for proper legal consideration. They caution against a “fire drill” approach to such serious claims and assert the judiciary’s responsibility to thoroughly review the matter independent of the executive branch’s set execution date.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
