Governor DeSantis Signs Death Warrant for Convicted Kidnapper and Murderer Anthony Wainwright
TALLAHASSEE — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a death warrant for Anthony Wainwright, convicted in the 1994 kidnapping, rape, and murder of 23-year-old Carmen Gayheart. Wainwright, who escaped from a North Carolina prison shortly before the crime, is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection on June 10 at Florida State Prison.
The heinous nature of Gayheart’s murder was detailed in a 1995 sentencing order by Circuit Judge E. Vernon Douglas, describing it as “extremely wicked, evil and vile.” Gayheart was abducted at gunpoint while loading groceries into her vehicle, en route to pick up her two young children. Over the course of more than an hour, she was driven to a remote area where she was ultimately strangled and shot twice in the back of the head with a .22-caliber rifle.
Wainwright, now 54, and his co-defendant, Richard Hamilton, were apprehended the following day after a shootout with police in Mississippi. Wainwright is poised to become the sixth inmate executed this year in Florida, following the recent execution of four prisoners. The warrant for Wainwright came a day after the Florida Supreme Court rejected an appeal from another inmate, Glen Rogers.
Despite previous unsuccessful appeals, Wainwright’s attorneys may attempt one final bid to stave off execution. A document filed by the Florida Attorney General’s Office recounted the details of Wainwright’s escape from prison, theft of a Cadillac, and the subsequent abduction of Gayheart from the Winn-Dixie parking lot in Lake City. All known legal avenues for appeals are currently being explored ahead of his scheduled execution date.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
