Florida to execute Army veteran for 1986 murder of deputy

Florida is scheduled to execute 77-year-old William Reaves Tuesday for the 1986 murder of Indian River County Deputy Richard Raczkowski, marking the state's 18th execution this year under Gov. Ron DeSantis.Florida lethal injection executionReaves is set to receive a three-drug lethal injection starting at 6 p.m. at Florida State Prison near Starke.Court records show Raczkowski responded to a 911 call at a Vero Beach convenience store in September 1986, where Reaves had called for help using a payphone. During their conversation, a gun fell out of Reaves' shorts, leading to a struggle over the weapon.Investigators said Reaves regained control of the gun and shot the deputy four times as Raczkowski attempted to run away. The deputy died from his wounds.Death penalty appeals processIt remains unclear whether the U.S. Supreme Court will step in to halt the execution as final appeals remain pending before the high court.Attorneys argued that jurors who recommended death were never told that