Lawyers say Florida death row inmate should not be executed because he’s 'too obese'

[u/Seetruthtv]

Lawyers working for a death row inmate say he should not be executed because he’s 'too obese'.

Michael Tanzi, 48, who was found guilty of murdering Janet Acosta, 49, in 2003, is set to face the ultimate punishment on April 8 at Florida State Prison. However, his legal team has been desperately trying to prevent him from becoming the 11th person to be put to death in America since the start of the year.

In an appeal they filed last week, the defenders stated that Tanzi's weight would make the execution unlawful and lead to his “needless suffering”. The reason for this, they argued, is current death penalty ‘protocols’ should not be applied to someone suffering from obesity or illnesses associated with it.

The lawyers said Tanzi also has “severe chronic sciatica […] hyperlipidemia, uncontrolled hypertension, and gastroesophageal reflux disease”. The document read, per New York Post: “The existing protocols for lethal injection do not contemplate the execution of someone with obesity and uncontrolled medical conditions, like Mr. Tanzi’s, that are likely to complicate the lethal injection process. Executing Mr. Tanzi using the existing protocols is likely to cause serious illness and needless suffering.”

Janet Acosta was seated inside her parked van in April 2000 when Tanzi attacked her and threatened her with a razor blade, according to court documents. Tanzi bound and gagged the woman and began heading toward the Florida Keys in her van. Tanzi sexually assaulted Acosta at one point and used her bank card to take money from ATMs.

Tanzi eventually drove to an isolated area of Cudjoe Key, where he strangled Acosta and left her body, officials said. He then drove to Key West to visit friends. As Tanzi was making his way through the Keys, Acosta’s friends reported her missing. Police recognized the woman’s van and arrested Tanzi.

[u/z3r0c00l_]

Aww, you mean the guy that murdered someone might be uncomfortable during his execution?

Who the fuck cares.

[u/JuanG_13]

This is ridiculous and he has to pay for what he did.

[u/SadNana09]

Once the injection kicks in, his sciatica, acid reflux, and all his other woes won't bother him.

[u/my_4_cents → u/SadNana09]

chronic diseases hate this one weird trick!