Lawyers for ‘morbidly obese’ Florida death row inmate worry about botched execution

Lawyers for a Florida man on death row are seeking to halt his upcoming execution, citing concerns about his obesity and health conditions potentially causing issues with the lethal injection process. Michael Tanzi, 48, is scheduled to be executed on April 8 at Florida State Prison for his involvement in the kidnapping and murder of a woman in Miami in 2000.

Governor Ron DeSantis signed Tanzi’s death warrant on March 10, but his legal team is now appealing to the state’s highest court for a stay of execution. Tanzi’s lawyers argue that their client is morbidly obese and suffers from sciatica, a painful condition affecting the sciatic nerve in the back.

They claim that Florida’s lethal injection procedure may not be effective due to Tanzi’s weight, potentially leaving him “paralyzed but aware” during the process. They argue that this would constitute a violation of the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.

Tanzi’s lawyers highlighted concerns about the sedation drug not fully taking effect on him, as well as potential complications such as reflux and aspiration of vomit due to his obesity, acid reflux, and sleep apnea. They argue that the current protocols for lethal injection do not account for individuals with obesity and complex medical conditions like Tanzi’s.

Moreover, they raised issues regarding the difficulty of placing IV lines for the lethal injection cocktail. Despite these concerns, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier responded by stating that Tanzi’s lawyers have not provided sufficient evidence that the state’s protocol would violate constitutional protections.

Tanzi was convicted of kidnapping Janet Acosta in 2000, strangling her to death, and leaving her body in the Florida Keys. He was apprehended after authorities noticed him driving Acosta’s vehicle following a missing persons report. If Tanzi’s execution proceeds as planned, it would mark the third execution in Florida this year.

In Florida, executions are typically carried out by either lethal injection or the electric chair. Tanzi’s case underscores the ongoing debate surrounding the ethics and practicalities of the death penalty, particularly when it comes to individuals with underlying health conditions. As the legal battle continues, the fate of Michael Tanzi hangs in the balance, with his lawyers fighting to prevent what they argue could be a botched and inhumane execution.