Additional Coverage:
- ‘Morbidly obese’ Florida man who admitted to killing Miami Herald employee executed Tuesday (foxnews.com)
Florida Death Row Inmate Executed
Michael Tanzi, 48, was executed by lethal injection at Florida State Prison on Tuesday at 6:12 p.m. Tanzi was convicted of the April 2000 kidnapping, robbery, and murder of Janet Acosta, a Miami Herald production worker. In his final statement, Tanzi apologized to Acosta’s family and recited a Bible verse.
Tanzi’s execution followed the denial of several appeals, including one recently rejected by the Florida Supreme Court. The appeal argued that Tanzi’s morbid obesity and sciatica could result in “unconstitutional levels of pain” during the execution. The court deemed the appeal untimely, stating Tanzi’s health conditions were known since 2009 and that similar weight-based appeals had been rejected previously.
According to Corrections Department spokesman Ted Veerman, Tanzi woke at 4:45 a.m., met with a spiritual advisor, and was later served his last meal.
Court documents and a state Commission on Capital Cases summary detail Acosta’s brutal murder. Tanzi approached Acosta during her break in her van on April 25, 2000.
He punched her, drove her to Homestead while threatening her with a razor blade, and robbed her at a gas station. He then drove to the Florida Keys, where he purchased duct tape and razor blades.
He subsequently drove to a secluded area in Cudjoe Key, told Acosta he would kill her, and strangled her. He placed duct tape over her mouth, nose, and eyes in an attempt to silence her struggles.
After Acosta was reported missing, her van was found in Key West. Tanzi confessed to the murder and led police to her body. He admitted to the crime, stating he feared being caught if he released her.