A Florida killer known as the “Deacon of Death” was executed on Tuesday for the murders of two women whose bodies were found dumped in a pond in 1996, continuing a record 14 executions carried out by the state this year.

Samuel Lee Smithers, 72, was pronounced dead at 6:15 p.m. by lethal injection inside the Florida State Prison in Bradford County, officials announced.

The execution chamber curtains were opened at 6 p.m. with Smithers already strapped to the table with an IV in his arm. 4

He declined to give a final statement, only responding with “No, sir” when asked.

For his last meal, he ordered peanut butter, three packs of oatmeal, water and two sports drinks.

Smithers, a Baptist deacon, met his two victims – Christy Cowan and Denise Roach – on separate occasions in May 199

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