Florida executes ‘Ninja Killer’ Louis Gaskin for shooting dead a couple visiting from New Jersey in 1989 – as Ron DeSantis quickly signs death warrants for three inmates within three months
- Louis Bernard Gaskin, 56, was executed by lethal injection at 6 p.m. Eastern Time at Florida State Prison in Starke, 40 miles southeast of Jacksonville
- Gaskin confessed to killing Robert Sturmfels, 56, and Georgette Sturmfels, 55, on December 20, 1989, at their Flagler County winter home
- Gaskin was wearing all-black ninja clothing when he shot them: he then stole a clock, two lamps and a videocassette recorder that were intended as Christmas gifts
Florida has executed a 56-year-old man known as the “Ninja Killer,” who shot dead a visiting New Jersey couple in 1989 and robbed their winter home for Christmas presents.
Louis Bernard Gaskin confessed to the crime, which he committed in all-black ninja clothing.
“The guilt was always there,” Gaskin said. “The devil had more grip than God. I knew I was wrong. I wasn’t crazy.’
Jurors voted 8 to 4 in 1990 to recommend the death penalty, which the judge accepted. Florida law now requires a unanimous jury vote for the death penalty.
Gaskin woke up at 4:45 a.m. Wednesday and had his last meal at 9:45 a.m., said Kayla McLaughlin Smith, a spokeswoman for the Department of Corrections.
His last meal consisted of BBQ pork ribs, pork and turkey neck, buffalo wings, shrimp fried rice, fries, and water.
Louis Gaskin, 56, was executed Wednesday night at Florida State Prison for the 1989 murder of Robert and Georgette Sturmfels
Gaskin is pictured at his trial. He confessed to the murder and told a psychologist that he was not crazy
Gaskin is pictured at his trial. He was sentenced to death by a jury in 1990
Gaskin killed the Sturmfels at their home in Flagler County (pictured) in December 1989
Gaskin’s execution took place at Florida State Prison in Raiford, 40 miles southeast of Jacksonville.
None of the victims’ relatives were present.
Demonstrators outside demanded an end to the death penalty, claiming that Gaskin was mentally ill.
“Louis Gaskin, a mentally ill black man sentenced to death by an all-white non-unanimous jury, is scheduled to be executed in Florida at 6 p.m.,” Florida’s ACLU tweeted.
“No one should be killed by the state. It is now time to end the racist, unfair and cruel death penalty.”
State and US supreme courts have dismissed appeals Gaskin had filed since his death warrant was signed, with the latest denial on Tuesday.
Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty sent a petition to Governor Ron DeSantis, signed by 350 faith leaders, asking for clemency and saying the jury was not told about Gaskin’s traumatic childhood — which included his exposure to incest, being forced to eat off the floor and permanent ‘severe family dysfunction’.
Anti-death penalty campaigners are seen outside Florida State Prison on Wednesday
Protesters begged Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to stop the execution, but he refused
But DeSantis has been signing death warrants at a rapid pace this year as he prepares for his widely anticipated presidential campaign.
He oversaw just two executions in his first four years in office, both in 2019.
This execution comes six weeks after Donald Dillbeck, 59, was put to death for the 1990 murder of Faye Vann, 44, in Tallahassee.
It is also three weeks before the scheduled execution of Darryl B. Barwick for the 1986 murder of Rebecca Wendt, 24, in Panama City.
If Barwick’s execution is carried out as expected, it will be the shortest period of three executions in Florida since three were executed in 36 days in 2014.
Gaskin’s death marks the 100th execution in the state since the reintroduction of the death penalty in 1976.
There are another 297 people on Florida’s death row.