Florida is set to carry out the death sentence Thursday evening on 64-year-old Jesse Guardado, who was convicted of the murder and robbery of 75-year-old Jackie Malone in 2004. Before her death, the victim had helped her killer find a job and housing after he was released from prison. Guardado’s execution will be the 19th carried out in Florida this year, tying the record set a year ago.
The crime took place on Sept. 13, 2004, at Malone’s home in Walton County. According to investigators, Guardado, who was addicted to crack and in the middle of a drug binge at the time, attacked the woman, striking her with a blunt object, stabbing her and slitting her throat. He then took her purse, a jewelry box, a briefcase, a cellphone and $80. The stolen money was meant to pay for more drugs.
The man pleaded guilty in October 2005 and was sentenced to death the same year. In 2024, a federal appeals court ruled that Guardado had received a “full and fair” proceeding at the sentencing stage.
Florida accounts for more than half of the 32 executions carried out so far in the United States in 2026. Guardado’s execution will be the 19th this year, and two more are scheduled for November and December. If today’s execution and the next one go forward, the Sunshine State will break last year’s record, when the most death row inmates were put to death since the death penalty was reinstated in the 1980s.
Ed. JŁ
Source: Słoneczne Radio
