Florida is scheduled to execute Jesse Guardado, 64, at 6 p.m. Thursday at Florida State Prison in Raiford for the 2004 murder of Jackie Malone, 75, in Walton County. Guardado pleaded guilty and confessed to stabbing and beating Malone, who had previously helped him find employment and housing. The execution would be carried out by lethal injection.
If it proceeds, it will be Florida’s 19th execution of 2026, tying the state record set in 2025 under Governor Ron DeSantis. The milestone arrives in a week when Indiana and Alabama are also scheduled to carry out executions, a stretch that puts the national death penalty debate back in focus.
For Walton County, this closes a case that began more than two decades ago. Malone’s willingness to help someone in need is the part of the story that lingers, and it has renewed conversations locally about caution, trust, and how communities care for people who are struggling. State officials have not announced any changes to the execution schedule.
What’s your reaction to Florida tying its execution record two years in a row? Let us know in the comments or give us a call on the air.
