A 63-year-old convicted murderer who has been on death row since 1991 was put to death on Wednesday in Florida, marking the 12th execution in the state this year under Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, setting a record number.

David Joseph Pittman received a lethal injection just after 6 p.m. ET at the Florida State Prison near Starke, following a death warrant signed by Governor DeSantis, who has signed more death warrants this year than any of his predecessors.

Before his execution, Pittman maintained his innocence, denying any involvement in the triple homicide for which he was sentenced to death.

DeSantis’ office released a statement quoting Pittman asserting his innocence, claiming he was wrongly convicted and stating he did not commit the murders.

Pittman, convicted in 1990 for the killings of three individuals in Mulberry, east of Tampa, and for arson of their residence, sought legal intervention from the Supreme Court to challenge the legality of his sentence based on his intellectual disability.

DeSantis’ spokesperson confirmed that the execution proceeded smoothly, with Pittman taking deep breaths before succumbing to the lethal drugs.

An advocacy group, Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, urged Governor DeSantis to stop the execution, arguing that capital punishment only perpetuates violence and does not serve justice or enhance safety.

In May 1990, a Mulberry family was found brutally murdered and their home set on fire, with Pittman accused of committing the heinous acts amid a turbulent divorce.

Pittman was sentenced to death the following year for the murders and arson, in addition to other charges related to the crime.

Despite Pittman’s final appeal being rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court, he spent his last day before the execution having a meal and awaiting the scheduled procedure.

Two more executions are scheduled in Florida for this autumn, with individuals facing the death penalty for separate murder cases in the state.

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