Despite Letter from Bishops, Reformed Inmate Michael Zack Undergoes the Death Penalty for his Deadly Crimes in Florida

The State of Florida, administered the death penalty to their sixth inmate this year. Michael Zack was known as “Zack” to his lawyers and pen friends, as “Bubba” to his sisters, and as “Hillbilly” to his fellow men on death row. 
Michael spent more than half of his life on Florida’s death row. Those 27 years were the most stable, productive, and safest period in Michael’s life – a place where he has found faith, love, friendship, education, and the stability that he was denied in his early years.

Michael and his sisters endured an unimaginable childhood of horrors. Michael grew in his alcoholic mother’s womb and was born prematurely after her car accident. His birth father left shortly thereafter, and his mother’s next husband was sadistically abusive toward Michael and his sisters. At the age of 3, he was hospitalized after his stepfather force-fed him alcohol and drugs. He was kicked, beaten, and thrown against walls. When he was 11, his mother was murdered with an ax, sending Michael into the clutches of the foster care system, which failed Michael even further.

Bishops Statement Prior to the Execution: The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops (FCCB) has requested that Gov. Ron DeSantis stay the execution of Michael Zack and commute his sentence to life without parole. Zack is scheduled to be executed on October 3, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.

Zack was convicted of and received a death sentence for the 1996 murder of Ravonne Smith of Pensacola. He also received a life sentence for the murder of Laura Rosillo in Okaloosa County that took place shortly before Smith’s murder.

In a September 11, 2023, letter to DeSantis on behalf of the bishops of Florida, Michael Sheedy, FCCB executive director, recognized that Zack’s “heinous and horrific crimes against these women have caused untold suffering to their families, friends, and communities.”

“Yet, in taking the life of Mr. Zack, the state will do nothing to restore the victims’ lives,” said Sheedy. “Rather, state-sanctioned killing will only further fuel the growing societal disrespect for the dignity of human life. The death penalty merely perpetuates the cycles of violence and vengeance that permeate our culture.”

Sheedy also noted the violence that was inflicted on Zack during his childhood. “In his youth, he endured an extremely abusive home environment, undergoing severe physical and sexual abuse at the hands of his stepfather.”

Neuroscientific research shows that such traumatic experiences can have lasting effects on a child’s developing brain, which can profoundly affect behavior. Zack’s defense team presented expert testimony that he suffers from organic brain damage, fetal alcohol syndrome, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Before Zack’s scheduled execution, Floridians will gather across the state to pray for him and his victims, for DeSantis as he considers the request to stay the execution, and for an end to the cycle of violence in society.

Full text of letter to DeSantis


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Michael Zack’s Final Statement

Twenty-seven years ago, I was an alcoholic and a drug addict. I did things that have hurt a lot of people—not only the victims and their families and friends, but my own family and friends as well. I have woken up every single day since then filled with remorse and a wish to make my time here on earth mean something more than the worst thing I ever did.

When I got to death row, I substituted drugs and alcohol for happiness and positive relationships. I am so grateful to the guys on the row who took the time to teach me how to read and write. They changed my life forever because their love and support allowed me to have pen pals and friends all over the world. John, Susan, Maria, Anna, and David—I treasure you and the unconditional love you have shared with me all these years. The ability to read and write also led me to my beloved wife and soulmate, Ann-Kristin. I will love her for eternity.

I make no excuses. I lay no blame. But how I wish that I could have a second chance, to live out my days in prison and continue to do all I can to make a difference in this world. To all my brothers on death row, please continue to help each other. Give each other hope and peace. Keep sharing the love and acceptance that you all showed a hillbilly from Kentucky.

To all the lawyers, counselors, social workers, and volunteers who are working so hard to fix the juvenile justice and child welfare system in this country, I hope my story will inspire you to make a difference in a child’s life. You have the power to save another child from my fate. Your work is so important, and I love you.

To all the drug and alcohol treatment counselors and family and friends of people who, like me, suffer from addiction: Never give up! I hope you understand how much you are appreciated and loved. Someone like you could have changed my life twenty-seven years ago when I was screaming out for help.

To Brother Dale and Susan, God bless you, and thank you for being such a blessing to me.

To Linda, Dawn, Stacy, Jessica, Amanda, and Diana, thank you for everything you have done for me all these years. You fought for me until my last breath, and I love you.

And finally, to Governor Desantis and the Clemency Board: I love you. I forgive you. I pray for you. Michael Zack

Sources: https://www.fadp.org/statements-on-the-execution-of-michael-zack/ and 

The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops - an agency of the Catholic Bishops of Florida. It speaks for the Church in matters of public policy and serves as liaison to the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government. The archbishop and bishops of the seven (arch)dioceses in Florida constitute its board of directors.