A Florida man who fatally stabbed his estranged wife’s sister and parents and then set fire to their house is scheduled for execution under a death warrant signed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.
David Pittman, 63, is set to be executed on Sept. 17 in what will be the 12th execution scheduled this year in Florida, extending the record. DeSantis signed the warrant on Friday as two other men, Kayle Bates and Curtis Windom, also await execution later this month.
The previous modern high for executions in a single year in Florida was eight in 2014, since the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976. Florida has already carried out nine executions this year, the most of any state, while Texas and South Carolina follow with four each.
Nationwide, 28 people have been executed this year, surpassing the 25 put to death last year. This matches the 28 executions recorded in 2015.
Pittman was convicted in 1991 on three counts of first-degree murder, along with charges of arson and grand theft, according to court records. He was sentenced to death the same year.
Court documents state that in May 1990, while he and his wife, Marie, were divorcing, Pittman went to the Polk County home of her parents, Clarence and Barbara Knowles. He fatally stabbed them and their younger daughter, Bonnie Knowles. He then set fire to the house and stole Bonnie’s car, later setting it ablaze as well, investigators said.
A witness identified Pittman as the man seen running from the burning vehicle. A jailhouse informant also testified that Pittman confessed to the killings.
The Florida Supreme Court is scheduled to review an appeal in the case, and an additional appeal is expected to be filed with the U.S. Supreme Court.
