Lawyers for a prisoner in the death cell in Florida made a final attempt to prevent his execution, and quoted that his weight would make the fatal injection procedure more difficult.
Michael Tanzi, 48, was sentenced to death in 2003 for the murder of Janet Acosta in 2000, and after more than two decades of service, Governor Ron Desantis signed his death judgment.
Tanzi's lawyers, however, submitted a letter on Monday stating that he was 'morbid obese' and suffers from a nerve disease called sciatica.
His lawyers argued that because of his obesity, the three fatal injection of the state with three medicines could possibly cause the serious disease of Tanzi and unnecessary suffering. '
The eighth amendment of the Constitution prevents cruel or unusual penalties and the representation of Tanzi claimed that his weight can prevent the medicines from getting fully into force, so that it remains paralyzed.
The short detailed person that the drugs may not be able to completely numb Tanzi and he would remain 'paralyzed but consciously' with a 'sensation to be burned from within'.
The office of the Attorney General submitted a letter on Wednesday when refuting the claims of Tanzi and his lawyers closed because he waited until his death sentence was signed to substantiate cruel and unusual punishment.
“Tanzi offers no support for his unfounded statement that the enormous dose of etomidate, which has been used repeatedly and successfully in the deadly injection protocol of Florida, will not work for him,” argued the office of the attorney general.
Lawyers for Michael Tanzi, 48, have submitted a brief claim that his execution is 'cruel and unusual punishment' because of his weight
Governor Ron Desantis signed a death order in March for the implementation of Tanzi that is planned for 8 April
Florida has a deadly injection with three drugs used to kill prisoners in the death cell. Tanzi's lawyers argued that his weight would complicate the procedure
The State added that Tanzi has long been known about his general medical condition, heavy weight and return problems, “and that the current injection procedure has been around since 2017.
“Tanzi does not support his unfounded statement that the enormous dose of etomidate, which has been used repeatedly and successfully in the deadly injection protocol of Florida, will not work for him,” the assignment added.
A County Circuit Judge rejected Tanzi's question to stop his execution, so that his lawyers appealed to the Supreme Court.
Desantis signed the death sentence of Tanzi on March 10 and its performance is planned for April 8, except that it is not stopped.
Tanzi was arrested almost 25 years ago on April 25, 2000, when he attacked Janet Acosta, who was eating in her car according to a lunch break, according to judicial documents.
He approached her vehicle to ask for a cigarette and then repeatedly hit her and forced her in her car.
Tanzi then threatened her with a razorblade and drove her car from Miami to Homestead, who drive for about an hour.
He attacked her sexually, stole her money and credit cards and then drove to an isolated area to kill her.
Tanzi was sentenced to death in 2003 for the brutal murder of Janet Acosta in 2000
The State argued that Tanzi's lawyers knew about his weight and the deadly injection procedures
Tanzi put duct tape on her mouth, strangled her and left her body in a wooded area. He then drove to Key West and the friends of Acosta finally reported her missing.
The police found him when they discovered that he was driving Acosta's car and he confessed.
He was accused of murder in the first degree, carjacking with a deadly weapon, kidnapping and armed robbery.
Tanzi was sentenced to death three years later. He filed an appeal in 2005, but his death penalty was confirmed in 2007.
He still submitted a motion for a rehearsal that was refused. Despite several movements since his death penalty has remained.
