MIAMI (AP) — Florida recently executed a 74-year-old prisoner, marking the oldest individual to face execution in the state’s contemporary history. The subsequent prisoners lined up for execution are even older.

As the state prepares to conduct more executions by the month’s end, it draws attention to the aging demographic of death-row prisoners nationwide. Among those to be executed in July is an 80-year-old man, sentenced for the 1986 murder of his former girlfriend’s parents, possibly becoming just the second known octogenarian to be executed in the United States.

This situation raises ethical questions for some about the practice of executing inmates who might naturally die soon. For others, it highlights the complex balance between ensuring constitutional rights through lengthy appeals and potentially delaying justice.

“Is the intention to prevent prisoners from escaping execution through natural death?” pondered Rev. Dustin Feddon, a Catholic priest actively ministering to death row inmates in Florida since 2013. While acknowledging the church’s firm stance against capital punishment, he remarked, “Executing the frail and elderly is exceptionally harsh and unusual.”

In contrast, Marilyn Gifford, whose sister’s murderer is scheduled for execution on Tuesday, holds a different perspective.

“I’m just happy it’s ever happening in our lifetime,” she said. “I wish my mother was alive to see it.”

Death warrants follow decades on death row

On June 25, Dusty Ray Spencer, who was convicted of fatally stabbing his wife in 1992, became the oldest person executed in Florida in modern history. The U.S. Supreme Court rejected the 74-year-old’s appeal that his liver disease rendered him susceptible to excruciating pain from lethal injection.

Dennis Sochor, convicted of killing 18-year-old Patricia Gifford just hours into 1982 after meeting her at a New Year’s Eve party, would be just a week older if his execution is carried out on Tuesday. Marilyn Gifford said she and her family plan to be there.

Dominick Anthony Occhicone, 80, has spent nearly four decades on death row after being sentenced in the murders of his ex-girlfriend’s parents. He is scheduled to die July 28 and would become the second oldest prisoner known to be put to death in the U.S., after 83-year-old Walter Moody Jr. Moody was executed in Alabama in 2018 for killing a federal judge and a Black civil rights attorney.

There are three inmates older than Occhicone on Florida’s death row.

The scheduling of executions is up to the governor

It’s unclear why Florida set the executions for the three prisoners consecutively. Maria DeLiberato, legal director of Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, noted that in Florida, the governor has practically sole discretion when it comes to the scheduling of executions. In many other death penalty states, the scheduling is up to the courts.

About half of Florida’s 242 death row inmates have exhausted their appeals and could see their death warrant issued at any time. The family of Michael Sheridan spent a year calling and writing to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, requesting he sign a death warrant, before Sheridan’s killer was executed earlier this year.

DeSantis said last year his goal is to bring justice to victims’ families who have waited for decades.

“Some of these crimes were committed in the ’80s,” the governor said last year. “Justice delayed is justice denied.”

Death row gets older

The average age of inmates executed in the U.S. has crept up from the 30s to the 50s over the past half-century, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. While some inmates committed capital offenses later in life, lengthy appeals and mandatory reviews have resulted in many spending decades on death row, sometimes developing medical conditions that can complicate efforts to execute them.

Occhicone has several age-related ailments, including kidney and prostate problems, according to his attorneys. He needs help getting in and out of the shower, they noted.

Under Supreme Court precedent, those who were under 18 when they committed their crimes cannot be put to death. But advanced age alone doesn’t provide a legal case for avoiding execution, said Gerod Hooper, an attorney with Florida’s Capital Collateral Regional Counsel, a state agency that provides post-conviction legal representation.

“You’d have to say it’s unconstitutional to execute this 80-year-old because he’s mentally deficient, he doesn’t have capacity to be executed,” Hooper said. “Or because of some underlying medical condition, the drug cocktail they inject would cause undue pain and suffering.”

Death row inmates with dementia in Utah and Alabama have avoided execution and later died of apparent natural causes. An inmate in Idaho received at least one stay of execution because of cancer and other health problems, but state officials continue to push for his death.

‘He could live another 20 years’

At the time of Gifford’s disappearance, Sochor was free on probation from a 1980 rape conviction.

“I knew him as a child, and he was a bully,” said Frank Frandel, who grew up as a family friend in Portland, Michigan. “I could believe he could be violent like that.”

Frandel offered no sympathy for Sochor’s advanced age, pointing out that Sochor’s father will turn 99 this year.

“He could live another 20 years,” Frandel said. “So no, I don’t feel sorry for him being at that age.”

A young student athlete, who dreamed of joining the NFL, has tragically lost his life due to a stabbing incident near a Los Angeles elementary school. His grieving family shared his aspirations, following his untimely death.

Fifteen-year-old Aziel Zacapala was fatally stabbed on Friday near Potrero School in El Monte around 1 p.m., as reported by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. Zacapala attended Rosemead High School, located a few miles from the incident, and played on the school’s football team.

Authorities were alerted about the altercation outside the school after a local hospital informed them of three stabbing victims, including Zacapala, who had sought emergency medical attention.

Tragically, the teenager was declared dead shortly after arrival at the hospital. The other two individuals, described as adult males, survived and are reported to be in stable condition, according to police.

Authorities have not yet made any arrests in connection with the incident, and investigations are ongoing to determine if multiple individuals were involved, stated the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department.

The department added that it is investigating the crime and that ‘currently, there is no suspect description available.’   

It remains unclear why Zacapala was near the elementary school or what caused the fight that led to three people being stabbed. 

A GoFundMe page set up by Zacapala’s uncle to help the teen’s single mother of three pay for a funeral and cover regular expenses while she grieves revealed the student athlete’s dreams of ‘making it to the big leagues as a football player.’

The uncle, Daniel Aguilar, described Zacapala as ‘a beloved nephew, friend, son, and high school football player/great friend.’ 

‘Aziel was a good kid, full of promise and kindness, and he had big dreams of making it to the big leagues as a football player,’ Aguilar added. 

The uncle said that less than a week before the fatal stabbing, Zacapala had been spending time at his high school’s Fourth of July event with his football friends, who referred to him by the nickname ‘AZ.’ 

‘His dedication to his sport and his positive spirit inspired everyone around him, and his absence leaves a deep void in our family and community,’ Aguilar said. 

The teen’s death has devastated his mother, who is raising two younger siblings, including a newborn. She is also unemployed and has been doing Instacart deliveries ‘just to stay afloat,’ the uncle said. 

‘As a father of three myself, I cannot begin to imagine the pain my sister is experiencing,’ he added. 

As of Sunday morning, the GoFundMe smashed its original goal of $9,000 and has raised more than $18,000. 

Zacapala was killed less than a week after another student-athlete football player was found dead in Mississippi on July 6. 

In that case, 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells had gone missing on July 4th after enjoying a boating day with friends, and his body was discovered after a two-day, multiagency search. 

Jay-Z’s much-anticipated final show during his three-day stint at Yankee Stadium hit a snag due to prolonged delays. Fans reportedly breached security, causing the Bronx venue to go into lockdown, according to reports.

On Sunday night, crowds were left waiting outside the iconic home of the New York Yankees for over two hours, as law enforcement dealt with the security situation, WABC detailed.

Though the concert was scheduled for an 8 p.m. start, entry gates only reopened at about 10 p.m. The “99 Problems” rapper eventually made his entrance on stage at 12:15 a.m. Monday morning.

Among those unable to gain entry due to the chaos were celebrities like Charlamagne The God, A$AP Rocky, and Fabolous, reported Variety.

“We got here a bit after 8, headed to Gate 2, and watched as people forced their way through. They overwhelmed security, bypassing checks to enter the stadium,” said Rosalynn Glover, a fan who had traveled from Atlanta, as she recounted the experience to WABC. “They closed Gate 2, so we tried Gate 4, but it was the same situation.”

“We were at the suite section, they would not even let us in there.”

A group of unruly fans barged through the turnstiles and into the stadium, footage shared on TikTok shows.

Staffers in light blue polo shirts tried to stop the influx of fans from getting into the 46,543-seater stadium – but were unsuccessful. 

Jay-Z, 56, apologized for the chaotic scenes when he took to the stage, the Hollywood Reporter reported.

“Let me explain the delay to you guys,” he said.

“It was like 10,000 people outside, and we closed all the doors, and somebody rushed the door. They closed the door for you guys’ safety and everyone’s safety outside.

“There’s 10,000 people outside; I don’t want to start the music and people get trampled. I’m really sorry for the inconvenience, but I had to make sure everyone was OK. I appreciate your patience.”

There was doubt over whether the concert would go ahead.

Fans booed loudly when an announcement informing them a decision over whether the concert would still go ahead was still being made, according to video filmed by WOIO reporter Ashly Holder.

Usher was a surprise guest on night three for a rendition of “Heart of the City (Ain’t No Love).”

The gig ended with a spectacular fireworks display that formed the Basquiat crown – Jean-Michel Basquiat’s famous motif, which has become a black pop culture symbol. Jay-Z paid $4.5 million for Basquiat’s 1982 painting Mecca in 2013.

Jay-Z headlined the stadium for three nights and his concerts mark the 30th anniversary of his album “Reasonable Doubt” and 25 years since he released “The Blueprint.”

On Friday, the “Empire State of Mind” star brought out his wife, Beyoncé, and their eldest child, Blue Ivy, for surprise performances.

During his performance of “Can’t Knock The Hustle,” Beyoncé took the stage to sing Mary J. Blige’s part of the song.

The longtime couple — who tied the knot in 2008 — shared a kiss before Beyoncé exited the stage.

Blue, 14, played the piano for his 1996 song “Feelin’ It.” 

Jay-Z is set to play at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, on Sept. 4 and the Stade de France in Paris, France, on Sept. 10.

He will headline Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on Oct. 23. 

Upon returning from a vacation, a Lake Tahoe homeowner faced a shocking reality: his home had been invaded, his possessions vanished, and an uninvited guest had been living in his house.

The homeowner, whose residence is located on the Nevada shores of Lake Tahoe, had been absent for three weeks prior to his return on June 5.

In his absence, an intruder had feasted on his food and beverages, rearranged his belongings, and taken some of his clothes, as reported by the police. Disturbingly, the homeowner also noted that his birth certificate was among the missing items.

According to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, evidence indicated the house had been ‘illegally occupied.’ They have identified Clarence Zillman as a person of interest while delving into the matter.

Authorities claim that Zillman left behind a significant clue: his wallet, which contained a Visa debit card bearing his name and a Safeway receipt for two packs of Camel cigarettes.

Investigators reviewed surveillance footage from the Safeway location at the Round Hill Shopping Center in Zephyr Cove, which is on the southern shore of Lake Tahoe.

They matched the video with the cigarette purchase to obtain a relatively clear image of the person who bought the items. 

In the photo, the person of interest can be seen wearing a blue plaid shirt and a baseball cap, which the victim recognized as his own, police said.

Authorities released the photo and asked the public to share any information they might have about the pictured individual, likely to confirm that he is indeed Zillman. 

The homeowner found the shirt that he recognized from the surveillance footage, but the hat was missing, police said. 

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation was still active as of July 9. 

The person in the photo has not been named a suspect. He is instead a person of interest until police have enough evidence to accuse him of squatting in the house.

Police have asked anyone who recognizes the man in the surveillance footage or might have any information relevant to the investigation to contact Investigator JT Davis at 775-586-7253.

The Daily Mail has covered several other bizarre cases of squatting in recent months.

Across the pond last week, a British couple returned after a three-month absence to their holiday home in Menorca, a Spanish island in the Mediterranean. 

Upon arriving, they discovered that a 55-year-old man and his 25-year-old son had been living on the property and had installed a new security system. The couple’s furniture and rugs were also gone. 

In March, a 66-year-old woman named Hilarie Page was summoned to court for reportedly refusing to leave a four-story property on Manhattan’s Upper East Side following the death of its wealthy owner. 

She had been working as a live-in housekeeper for entrepreneur Craig Schmeizer before his death – which came just weeks after she was arrested for allegedly assaulting him. 

And in February, a self-proclaimed bankruptcy expert named Tamieka Goode, 40, was revealed to have been squatting in a $2.3 million Bethesda, Maryland, home after a pre-law student living next door saw her changing the locks when the previous homeowner went into foreclosure. 

She had touted her services as a financial advisor online and shared ‘inspirational’ social media posts of herself, her Porsche and her mansion, suggesting she was a self-made success.

But the student soon uncovered paperwork that told the real story: Goode was living on food stamps, relying on child support from the father of her 16-year-old daughter and was herself bankrupt.

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (WLS) — A tragic “targeted mass shooting” in East St. Louis, Illinois, has left seven family members shot, with five losing their lives, according to the Illinois State Police, who are handling the investigation.

Authorities have apprehended two teenage suspects in connection with the incident.

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The shootings took place across several sites in East St. Louis, including locations at 39th and Summit, the Gompers public housing area, and Jones Park, as reported by state police.

According to the Illinois State Police, five individuals have been confirmed dead. Additionally, two others were transported to a hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, where they are being treated for serious injuries.

The victims who tragically lost their lives have been identified by state police as 49-year-old Cherie L. May, 24-year-old Devin D. May, 74-year-old Patricia A. May, 21-year-old Quentin L. Thompson, and 25-year-old Shania W. Thompson, all residents of East St. Louis.

Illinois State Police held a press conference Sunday evening to provide an update on the quintuple homicide investigation.

Two suspects, ages 15 and 16, have been taken into custody following the shootings, ISP said. Charges have not yet been filed.

At least one of the suspects was believed to be related to at least one of the victims, police said.

Illinois State Police continue to investigate.

Renowned actor Sam Neill, famously recognized for his iconic role in Steven Spielberg’s hit, “Jurassic Park,” was all smiles at a music hall of fame event just a few weeks prior to his passing at the age of 78.

Neill looked delighted in a selfie taken with singer Kate Ceberano, who was celebrated as part of the 2026 class of inductees in the Australian Recording Industry Association’s hall of fame in June.

In addition to his snapshot with Ceberano, Neill captured moments backstage with fellow inductees, musical duo Vika and Linda, as well as Jenny Morris, a former member of “the Crocodiles.”

During the ceremony, Jenny Morris was honored with an induction into the ARIA hall of fame by none other than former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, whom Neill admired as Morris’s “hero.”

On June 11, Neill expressed his joy on Instagram, sharing, “What an incredible night in Sydney. Honored were four women I’ve admired for so long: Jenny Morris, Kate Ceberano, and Vika and Linda Bull.”

“Jenny was inducted [into] the Hall by no less than our former NZ PM , JACINDA ARDERN . Another hero.”

The hall of fame event was held to mark 40 years of the Australian Recording Industry Association music awards.

Plans for the standalone hall of fame event were finalized in September 2024 ahead of the major milestone.

“It’s something we’ve had in the pipeline for some time and a decision that was made by the board to recognise the incredible contribution many others have made to the Australian music landscape and we’ll be announcing more details next year because being inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame is a special moment and an important one for an artist,” Annabelle Herd, the ARIA CEO, said, The Music Network reported.

In recent years, the ARIA would induct one or two singers into its hall of fame as part of that year’s ARIA Awards ceremony. The 2026 ARIA awards will take place in November. 

There were no inductees into the ARIA hall of fame in 2021 and 2022. 

Neill’s family announced Monday he had died — just two months after he announced he was cancer free following a battle with the rare blood cancer angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma.

“It is with immense sadness that the whānau [family] of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday 13th July, in Sydney Australia,” they said on Instagram.

“Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life.

“The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer free. 

“They would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at St Vincent’s Private Hospital for their incredible care.

“More details will be shared later, but for now, on behalf of the family, we ask that you respect their privacy as they navigate this immeasurable loss.”

Neill, who moved to New Zealand as a child, attended the Sydney Film Festival in June 2026 and bosses said “he will be fondly remembered by all those who experienced his craft and bravery as an actor, his infectious larrikin spirit, and his fervent support of exciting new voices in cinema.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Neill will be “mourned and long remembered.”

“Sam Neill starred in so many beloved Australian stories and he earned a special place in Australian hearts,” he wrote on X.

“Wry and dry, thoughtful and laconic, Sam fought illness with the same dignity, humour and conviction that gave strength to his every performance.

“He will be much mourned and long remembered. May he rest in peace.”