Michael Tanzi, a convicted killer, was executed by lethal injection in Florida on Tuesday for the 2000 murder of Janet Acosta. He was pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m.
Tanzi, 48, was convicted of kidnapping, sexually battering, and murdering Acosta, a Miami Herald production worker, on April 25, 2000.
The crime involved Tanzi attacking Acosta as she ate lunch in her van, robbing her, and then driving her to the Florida Keys. There, he strangled her and left her body.
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Tanzi’s legal team made last-minute attempts to halt the execution, arguing that his “morbid obesity” and sciatica constituted cruel and unusual punishment under the Constitution, given the lethal injection protocol. However, the Florida Supreme Court rejected this argument, citing the timeliness of the claim and its lack of merit.
Tanzi’s last meal consisted of a pork chop, bacon, a baked potato, corn, soda, ice cream, and a candy bar. He also met with a spiritual advisor before the execution.
In his final statement, Tanzi apologized to Acosta’s family and recited a Bible verse.
Witnesses reported that Tanzi’s chest heaved for about three minutes after the lethal injection was administered. A corrections officer then shook his shoulders and spoke his name twice before he was pronounced dead.
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The case details the horrific nature of Tanzi’s crimes. He bound and gagged Acosta, sexually assaulted her, and ultimately strangled her in the Florida Keys. The state Commission on Capital Cases summary described how Tanzi “drove to an isolated area in Cudjoe Key, told her he was going to kill her, and began to strangle her.” He then “stopped to place duct tape over her mouth, nose and eyes in an attempt to quiet her and then strangled her until she expired.”
Acosta, a 25-year employee of the Miami Herald, was remembered as a kind and highly regarded person by her colleagues.
Acosta’s sister, Julie Andrew, who attended the execution, expressed a sense of closure, saying, “It’s done. Basically, justice for Janet happened… My heart felt lighter and I can breathe again.”
This was the third execution carried out in Florida this year.
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