Andrew Lukehart Execution

Andrew Lukehart, after previously being found guilty of child abuse, was sentenced to die by Florida for the death of a five-month-old child. He first made up a kidnapping story.

That was thirty years ago. Breyer explained why it is constitutionally and otherwise problematic to execute someone after all that time. Florida is making it a habit.

The first article suggests it is still somewhat unclear what exactly happened. Why did he murder the child? Child abuse, including lethal child abuse, arises for various reasons.

The crime is horrible, especially when you look at the picture of the child. The news article starts with a trigger warning. Still, thirty years in prison is a very serious punishment. 

The final appeal, rejected by the Supreme Court the day before without comment, was a standard red flag about Florida execution procedures. Old ground

It also added a novel argument that forcing him to choose an alternative means of execution (you must do so if you challenge the method) is a violation of his religious liberty. There is a federal statute protecting the religious liberty of prisoners. 

His execution doesn't provide much value, in my opinion, to the public welfare. Safeguarding children is precious. An arbitrary execution does little to advance it.