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Coverage dated April 7, 2025 to April 8, 2025

Florida executes man despite his lawyers' claims he was too obese for lethal injection to work

Headline from ABC 11 Raleigh

Florida man Michael Tanzi was executed in the death of Miami Herald employee Janet Acosta. His lawyers claimed he was too obese for lethal injection.

ABC 11 Raleigh's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Earlier updates in this story

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Reports & sources

6 articles, oldest first.

  1. The Guardian

    Florida to execute man convicted of killing woman he abducted (opens The Guardian)

    Published

    The Guardian's feed description

    Michael Tanzi is scheduled to receive a lethal injection at Florida state prison for killing Janet Acosta in 2000

  2. The Boston Globe

    A Florida man faces execution for killing a Miami Herald employee abducted on her lunch break (opens The Boston Globe)

    Published

    The Boston Globe's feed description

    Barring a late reprieve, Michael Tanzi is scheduled to receive a lethal injection at 6 p.m. at Florida State Prison for the April 2000 abduction and strangling of Janet Acosta.

  3. ABC 11 Raleigh

    Florida executes man despite his lawyers' claims he was too obese for lethal injection to work (opens ABC 11 Raleigh)

    Published

    ABC 11 Raleigh's feed description

    Florida man Michael Tanzi was executed in the death of Miami Herald employee Janet Acosta. His lawyers claimed he was too obese for lethal injection.

  4. New York Post

    ‘Morbidly obese’ killer’s final meal, last words revealed before he’s executed for strangling beloved Miami Herald worker (opens New York Post)

    Published

    New York Post's feed description

    Michael Tanzi, 48, was given a three-drug injection at Florida State Prison and pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m. for ruthlessly murdering respected Miami Herald production worker Janet Acosta in April 2000.

  5. Tampa Bay Times

    Florida man executed for abducting, killing Miami Herald employee (opens Tampa Bay Times)

    Published

    Tampa Bay Times's feed description

    Michael Tanzi, 48, received a lethal injection and was pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m. at Florida State Prison.

  6. NBC 6 South Florida

    Florida man executed for killing Miami Herald employee abducted on lunch break (opens NBC 6 South Florida)

    Published

    NBC 6 South Florida's feed description

    Michael Tanzi was pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m. following a three-drug injection at Florida State Prison for the April 2000 strangling of Janet Acosta

Florida executes man despite his lawyers' claims he was too obese for lethal injection to work | Since Then