Florida Execution Scheduled for Man Convicted of Setting Neighbor on Fire
A Florida man, Chadwick Scott Willacy, aged 58, is set to be executed by lethal injection on Tuesday night at Florida State Prison near Starke. This execution follows his conviction for the 1990 murder of his neighbor, Marlys Sather, a crime that involved a brutal attack and arson.
Details of the 1990 Murder Case
Court records reveal that in September 1990, Marlys Sather returned to her Palm Bay home during her lunch break and discovered Willacy inside. He assaulted her with a blunt object, fracturing her skull, then bound her hands and ankle with wire and tape. After attempting to strangle her with a telephone cord, Willacy poured gasoline on Sather and set her on fire. The autopsy confirmed she died from smoke inhalation, indicating she was alive while burning.
Following the murder, Willacy stole Sather's car and used her bank card to withdraw cash. Her body was discovered by her son-in-law after she failed to return from her break, prompting an employer's call.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Willacy was sentenced to death in 1991 after a jury recommended it with a 9-3 vote, following convictions for first-degree murder, burglary, robbery, and arson. Notably, Florida is one of only two states that do not require a unanimous jury for the death penalty, needing only eight of twelve jurors to impose it.
In 1994, the Florida Supreme Court ordered a new sentencing due to the trial judge's failure to allow the defense to rehabilitate a potential juror opposed to capital punishment. Willacy was resentenced to death in 1995, with the new jury recommending execution by an 11-1 margin. Last week, the Florida Supreme Court denied his appeals, though last-minute appeals are currently pending before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Execution Context in Florida
Willacy's execution marks the fifth in Florida this year. Under Governor Ron DeSantis, the state has become a leader in executions across the United States. In 2025, Florida conducted 47 executions, surpassing states like Texas, Alabama, and South Carolina, which each had five. This highlights a significant shift in capital punishment trends within the state.
The case underscores ongoing debates about the death penalty and legal procedures in Florida, drawing attention to the severity of the crime and the judicial processes involved.
