The death penalty in Florida remains a significant legal option for capital crimes, and if Jose Antonio Soto Escalera is sentenced to death, he will become the eighth individual with Treasure Coast ties on death row. This development follows a high-profile case in St. Lucie County involving the 2018 murders of Tania Esther Wise and her unborn child, which recently saw a jury recommend the death penalty for Escalera in the St. Lucie County murder case.

Death Penalty in Florida: Escalera Case and Treasure Coast Connections

The main keyword, death penalty, is central to the ongoing legal proceedings involving Jose Antonio Soto Escalera in St. Lucie County. On September 25, 2025, a jury recommended that Escalera receive the death penalty for the killings of Tania Wise and her unborn son in 2018. The jury’s 8-4 recommendation followed a conviction on two counts of capital murder, reached on September 19, 2025.

According to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, Wise’s body was discovered on August 24, 2018, along Russo Road near Johnston Road. The area is described as largely rural. Officials stated that a passerby found the 23-year-old pregnant woman and contacted 911. After an investigation, Escalera, 48, of Port St. Lucie, was arrested on September 21, 2018. DNA evidence confirmed that Escalera was the father of the unborn child, according to official reports.

Jury Recommendation and Sentencing Process

The sentencing phase in Florida capital cases involves both jury input and judicial discretion. In Escalera’s case, the jury recommended the death penalty, but the final decision rests with Circuit Judge Lawrence Mirman. Judge Mirman can either follow the jury’s recommendation or impose a sentence of life in prison without parole.

Before sentencing, a Spencer hearing is scheduled for October 6, 2025. According to Florida law, this hearing allows the defense to present additional evidence and gives the defendant an opportunity to address the judge. The process was established by the 1993 case, Spencer v. Florida, which affirmed the defendant’s right to be heard before sentencing.

What Is a Spencer Hearing?

A Spencer hearing is a legal proceeding in Florida where the defense can present mitigating evidence before the judge issues a sentence in a capital case. It is a required step to ensure the defendant’s rights are protected.

Treasure Coast Residents on Florida’s Death Row

If Judge Mirman sentences Escalera to death, he would join seven others with connections to the Treasure Coast currently on Florida’s death row. These individuals have been convicted of capital felonies in St. Lucie, Indian River, and Martin counties.

• Eriese Tisdale: Sentenced to death in March 2025 for the 2013 shooting of St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Sgt. Gary Morales during a traffic stop, according to court records. For more on this case, see how Eriese Tisdale received a death sentence again in the deputy murder.
• William Reaves: Convicted of killing Indian River County Deputy Richard Raczkoski outside a convenience store in 1986. Sentenced on March 6, 1992.
• Matthew Marshall: An inmate at Martin Correctional Institution, he was sentenced on December 12, 1989, for beating fellow inmate Jeffrey Henry to death in 1988.
• Rodney Lowe: Fatally shot Donna Burnell during an attempted robbery in Indian River County in 1990. Sentenced on May 1, 1991.
• Billy Kearse: Shot Fort Pierce police Sgt. Danny Parrish 13 times after a traffic stop in 1991. Sentenced on November 8, 1991.
• Anthony Spann and Lenard Philmore: Kidnapped Kazue Perron from West Palm Beach in 1997, drove her to Martin County, and killed her before robbing a bank in Indiantown. Spann was sentenced on June 23, 2000; Philmore on July 21, 2000.

Another high-profile case involved the jury recommending the death penalty for Eriese Tisdale in the deputy murder, further highlighting the gravity of capital cases in the region.

According to official records, five people with Treasure Coast ties have been executed in Florida since 1939.

Florida Death Penalty: Legal Process and Criteria

Capital felony convictions are eligible for the death penalty in Florida. The process involves a jury recommendation, but the judge has the final authority to impose a death sentence or life imprisonment without parole. The law requires a thorough review of aggravating and mitigating factors before sentencing.

According to the Florida Department of Corrections, individuals sentenced to death are housed on death row while awaiting appeals and final decisions. The execution method in Florida is lethal injection, with the electric chair as an alternative if chosen by the inmate.

Recent Developments in Death Penalty Law

Florida law regarding jury recommendations for the death penalty has evolved, with recent changes allowing non-unanimous jury recommendations to be considered by judges. In Escalera’s case, the 8-4 jury vote was sufficient to recommend death under current statutes.

Ongoing Investigations and Updates

Details about Escalera’s sentencing may be updated as the legal process continues. All information provided is based on official reports from the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office and court records. Further developments will depend on the outcome of the Spencer hearing and final sentencing in November 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions About Death Penalty in Florida

What is the death penalty in Florida?

The death penalty in Florida is a legal sentence for certain capital crimes, such as first-degree murder. It involves execution by lethal injection or, if chosen, the electric chair.

How many people from the Treasure Coast are on death row?

If Jose Antonio Soto Escalera is sentenced to death, eight people with Treasure Coast ties will be on Florida’s death row. This includes individuals from St. Lucie, Indian River, and Martin counties.

Are there retirement communities near Florida’s death row facilities?

No, Florida’s death row is located at Union Correctional Institution in Raiford, which is not near any retirement or 55+ communities.

Can you visit someone on death row in Florida?

Yes, approved visitors can see inmates on death row, but strict security rules apply. Visits must be scheduled in advance and are subject to Department of Corrections regulations.

Where are Florida’s death row inmates housed?

Florida death row inmates are housed at Union Correctional Institution and Florida State Prison, both located in northern Florida.

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