Wainwright is scheduled to be executed on June 10 for the 1994 murder of Carmen Gayheart in Hamilton County, FL.

In a letter to DeSantis, FCCB Executive Director Michael Sheedy acknowledged the gravity of Wainwright’s crimes. “Wainwright was found guilty of the heinous kidnapping, robbery, rape, and murder of Carmen Gayheart, a young mother,” wrote Sheedy. “We mourn the tragic death of Mrs. Gayheart. We acknowledge the pain and suffering of her family and friends, and we pray for their comfort.”

Despite his horrible crimes, Sheedy implored the governor to spare Wainwright’s life: “While the gravity of his crimes is such that he owes a debt he cannot repay and deserves a severe punishment, we urge that the state not cut short the time granted to him.”

“We appeal to you that it is possible both to achieve the purposes of punishment and to exercise mercy,” continued Sheedy on behalf of the bishops. “We can entrust the final judgment of every individual to God.”

The Catholic Church teaches that all human life is sacred. Even people who have committed terrible acts and caused great harm possess a human dignity instilled by God, our Creator. The death penalty attacks the inviolability of the human person and perpetuates the cycle of violence that is prevalent in our culture.

Given our modern penal system, executions are unnecessary. Life-long incarceration without the possibility of parole is a severe yet more humane punishment that ensures societal safety, allows the guilty the possibility of redemption, and offers finality to court processes and the possibility of earlier closure for victims of crime and their families.

Please take the following two actions in support of human life and dignity:

1. PRAY: 

Please join us in prayer for Mr. Wainwright, Mrs. Gayheart, and her family. Pray also for an end to the use of the death penalty, as well as for Governor DeSantis as he considers the request to stay the execution.

2. CONTACT GOVERNOR DESANTIS:

Please send a message to Governor DeSantis urging him to stay the execution of Anthony Wainwright and commute his sentence to life without parole.