Florida Executes Man Convicted in 2008 Case That Led to 911 System Overhaul

On Tuesday evening, Florida carried out the execution of a man convicted for the horrific 2008 rape and murder of a married mother of two young boys. The victim had managed to call 911, pleading for assistance while restrained in her vehicle after being kidnapped.

Michael Lee King, aged 54, was declared dead at 6:13 p.m. via lethal injection at Florida State Prison located near Starke, as reported by officials. King received the death penalty for the first-degree murder, sexual assault, and kidnapping of 21-year-old Denise Amber Lee in January 2008.

On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected King’s appeal, paving the way for his execution.

Clouds loomed over the entrance of Florida State Prison in Starke, where Michael Lee King was put to death for the 2008 murder of Denise Amber Lee. (Sources: AP; Florida Department of Corrections)

Denise Amber Lee was abducted by King as she was leaving her home in North Port, with her children still inside. King had noticed Lee earlier when he drove past her house while she was with her sons, who were a toddler and an infant at the time.

“As she trimmed her 2-year-old son Noah’s hair on the back porch, she had no way of knowing that a predator was driving through her neighborhood, searching for a victim,” the Denise Amber Foundation, which was created by Lee’s husband, Nathan Lee, states on its website. 

King took Lee to his home where he raped her, prosecutors said. Later that day, he drove to a relative’s house to borrow a flashlight, shovel and gas can while Lee was tied up in his vehicle, according to prosecutors. 

Despite being tied up, Lee managed to get King’s cellphone and call 911 where she begged for her life, saying she wanted to see her children and husband again. 

Michael Lee King, 54, was executed Tuesday for the murder of Denise Amber Lee.  (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan, File)

King eventually shot her in the face and buried her. He was pulled over a short time later by a state trooper because his green 1994 Chevrolet Camaro matched the description of another 911 call.

A caller said she heard screams coming from the vehicle at a traffic light. Lee’s hair and belongings were later found in King’s vehicle and home. 

The Denise Amber Lee Act, a law passed months after her death, provides better training for 911 operators. 

At least four other 911 calls, not including Lee’s call, were made the day of her abduction. One came from her husband, as well as others who saw parts of the crime unfolding. 

Clouds hover over the entrance of the Florida State Prison in Starke, where Michael King was executed Tuesday for the 2008 killing of Denise Amber Lee.  (AP Photo/Curt Anderson, file)

However, communication failures and other issues prevented help from being sent.

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