A “morbidly overweight” convicted killer who kidnapped and strangled a Miami newspaper employee 25 years in the past recited a bible verse and munched on bacon, a sweet bar and ice cream main as much as his execution in Florida Tuesday.
Michael Tanzi, 48, was given a deadly injection at Florida State Jail and pronounced useless at 6:12 p.m. for the ruthless homicide of revered Miami Herald manufacturing employee Janet Acosta in April 2000.
As Acosta ate lunch in her van, Tanzi attacked and robbed her earlier than driving the car to the Florida Keys, the place he strangled her and left her physique on an island, in keeping with authorities.
The assassin’s authorized group tried to cease the execution by submitting a number of appeals, together with one primarily based on the argument that he shouldn’t be killed as a result of he was “morbidly overweight” and had sciatica, which may result in a merciless quantity of ache through the deadly injection.
However the Florida Supreme Courtroom shot that plea down, stating his enchantment was not well timed as a result of his situations had been identified since 2009.
Tanzi’s final meal consisted of a pork chop, bacon, a baked potato, corn, soda, ice cream and a sweet bar, jail officers stated, in keeping with Newsweek.
He additionally met with a non secular advisor, who was his solely customer forward of his execution.
In his closing assertion, he directed his feedback to Acosta’s household.
“I wish to apologize to the household,” he stated softly earlier than reciting a bible verse.
Tanzi’s chest heaved for about three minutes when he was injected with the deadly dose. A correction officer shook his shoulders and stated his identify twice earlier than he was declared useless.
The hulking determine was convicted of first-degree homicide, carjacking, kidnapping and armed theft with a 12-person jury unanimously recommending the loss of life sentence.
Tanzi sure and gagged Acosta and sexually assaulted her throughout her terrifying final moments.
“He drove to an remoted space in Cudjoe Key, advised her he was going to kill her, and commenced to strangle her,” the state Fee on Capital Circumstances abstract stated.
“He stopped to position duct tape over her mouth, nostril and eyes in an try and quiet her after which strangled her till she expired.”
Acosta labored for the Miami Herald for 25 years and was remembered as extremely regarded, in keeping with an article within the newspaper Tuesday.
“It makes me wish to cry,” her coworker and shut buddy Carolyn Inexperienced advised the outlet.
“That’s why I haven’t spoken about it. Janet was the nicest particular person you’d ever wish to meet.”
“It’s accomplished. Mainly, justice for Janet occurred,” stated Acosta’s sister, Julie Andrew, who attended the execution. ”My coronary heart felt lighter and I can breathe once more.”
This was the third execution in Florida this 12 months.
With Submit wires.
Supply hyperlink
