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FLORIDA - A Florida inmate convicted of a brutal 2000 murder was executed Tuesday evening after decades on death row.
Authorities say 48-year-old Michael Tanzi was put to death by lethal injection at Florida State Prison and pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m. for the kidnapping and murder of Janet Acosta, a production staffer for The Miami Herald.
The crime occurred on April 25th, 2000, when Acosta was on a break in her van.
Tanzi approached her, allegedly demanded a cigarette, then forced his way into the vehicle, punching her and threatening her with a razor blade.
According to court records, Tanzi allegedly drove Acosta to several locations, robbing her and eventually buying duct tape and razor blades with her debit card.
He took her to a remote area in the Florida Keys, where he bound and gagged her with tape before allegedly strangling her.
He later confessed to the killing, telling authorities he couldn’t release her because he was “having too much fun.”
Tanzi was convicted of first-degree murder, kidnapping, carjacking, and armed robbery.
His legal team filed several appeals over the years, including a recent one claiming his obesity and sciatica could lead to excessive pain during execution.
The Florida Supreme Court dismissed the claim as untimely, noting his health issues had been known for years.
In his final moments, Tanzi apologized to Acosta’s family and recited scripture.
The execution was witnessed by Acosta’s relatives, bringing closure to a case that spanned nearly 25 years.