Florida Moves Forward: Execution Date Set for Man Convicted in Brutal 1984 Murders

It's a moment many have awaited for what feels like an eternity: Florida is moving forward with the execution of Duane Owen. Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a death warrant, scheduling Owen to die by lethal injection on June 15th. This development, nearly four decades after the heinous crimes, undeniably brings a complex mix of emotions for all involved, especially the victims' families who have endured an incredibly long and arduous journey for justice.

The names Karen Slattery and Judy Fillingham echo with profound tragedy. Owen was convicted in the brutal 1984 slaying of 14-year-old Karen Slattery, a babysitter from Delray Beach who was sexually assaulted and stabbed repeatedly in her clients' home. Just two months later, the 38-year-old Judy Fillingham was also sexually assaulted and murdered with a hammer in her Boca Raton apartment. These crimes, marked by their sheer brutality, left an indelible scar on the communities and, of course, on the hearts of those who loved the victims.

Owen’s path to this point has been a winding one, marked by numerous appeals and legal battles. He was initially convicted and sentenced to death for both murders. However, the legal wrangling, as you can imagine, has been extensive. His initial convictions were overturned on procedural grounds, only for him to be re-convicted and re-sentenced to death in subsequent trials. Throughout this protracted process, his defense team has consistently raised questions about his mental competency and other legal technicalities, challenging the death sentences at every possible turn.

For the families of Karen Slattery and Judy Fillingham, this upcoming date marks a deeply complex moment. It's a step toward finality, perhaps, but certainly never an erasure of their profound loss and the years of agonizing waiting. Imagine living with that uncertainty, that lingering pain, for nearly 40 years. This execution represents the state's ultimate resolve in delivering justice for their loved ones.

Governor DeSantis, in his role, issued the warrant, affirming the state's intent to carry out the sentence. Lethal injection, the state's chosen method, is set to be administered at Florida State Prison. Owen, now 62 years old, has exhausted virtually all avenues for appeal, paving the way for the scheduled execution.

It’s worth noting that Florida is one of the most active states in carrying out capital punishment. This case, with its lengthy history and the passage of so much time, serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring commitment to justice within the state's legal system, even when it means revisiting deeply painful events decades later.

As June 15th approaches, the focus will undoubtedly sharpen on the prison walls and the families of those whose lives were so cruelly taken. This final chapter, after so many years, closes a significant book on one of Florida’s most notorious double murder cases, bringing a measure of closure, however bittersweet, to those who have waited so long.