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.

The full text of the letter to DeSantis is available online here.