James Duckett Execution: Last-Minute DNA Appeal Denied as Florida Death Row Inmate Maintains Innocence
A federal judge in Jacksonville has denied a last-minute appeal by death row inmate James Duckett to halt his execution, rejecting requests for DNA testing on clothing and fingernail scrapings from the victim. Duckett, a former Mascotte police officer, is scheduled to be executed at noon Tuesday for the 1987 rape and drowning of 11-year-old Teresa McAbee. His attorneys are now awaiting a final decision from the U.S. Supreme Court, while Duckett has maintained his innocence for nearly 40 years.nnThe case against Duckett relied heavily on circumstantial evidence, including three key pieces that led to his arrest and conviction. Investigators also sought to ensure Duckett remained behind bars even if he successfully appealed the McAbee conviction. The death warrant remains effective until April 7, 2026, allowing the execution to proceed if the court overturns any stay. Duckett, now 68, has consistently denied involvement in the crime.nnThe trial was one of the most notable cases presided over by Circuit Judge Jerry Lockett. In a related development, as of 2026, a missing person named Trenton has never been found, though no direct link to Duckett has been established. The denial of DNA testing has reignited debate over the use of circumstantial evidence in capital cases, with advocates for Duckett arguing that modern forensic methods could prove his innocence.nnAs the execution date approaches, the case highlights ongoing tensions between finality in capital punishment and the pursuit of new evidence. Duckett’s legal team continues to explore all avenues, but with the clock ticking, the focus remains on the Supreme Court’s next move. The outcome will have significant implications for death penalty jurisprudence in Florida and beyond.
Shimanta Das 
