Michael Anthony Tanzi, 48, is set to be executed by lethal injection at Florida State Prison in Raiford at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, marking the eleventh execution in the United States in 2025. This execution occurs almost 25 years after Tanzi abducted, assaulted, and ultimately murdered Janet Acosta, a 49-year-old employee at the _Miami Herald_, who was taken while on her lunch break on April 25, 2000.

Tanzi's legal team has sought to halt the execution, arguing that Florida's lethal injection protocol violates the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment.

Their claims are based on Tanzi's size, as he is classified as 'morbidly obese' and suffers from severe chronic sciatica among other medical conditions.

However, the Florida Supreme Court dismissed these claims, asserting they were 'untimely and meritless' and noted that Tanzi’s medical issues have been documented since 2009. The court ruled that his attorneys had not demonstrated that lethal injection would pose a 'substantial and imminent risk' of unnecessary suffering.

Tanzi has been diagnosed with several mental health disorders, including bipolar disorder and anti-personality disorder, stemming from childhood trauma, as revealed by court documents.

He has expressed to others that he believes a life sentence without parole would be a more appropriate punishment for his crime, reflecting on the impact of his imprisonment on his personal growth.

The execution warrant was signed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis last month.

Tanzi was sentenced to death in 2003 after pleading guilty to first-degree murder and other charges, following a jury's unanimous recommendation for the death penalty.

The crime involved Tanzi kidnapping Acosta with the intention of sexually assaulting her before ultimately killing her and disposing of her body in a secluded area.

Acosta's family, particularly her sister Julie Andrew, intends to witness the execution.

Acosta had been a respected supervisor in the makeup department at the _Miami Herald_ for 25 years and was known to frequent Watson Island park where she was kidnapped.

As demonstrations are planned outside the prison by groups opposed to the death penalty, advocates have emphasized the disparities in the application of capital punishment across the United States.

A significant proportion of recent executions have occurred in just a handful of states, leading to discussions about the fairness and efficacy of the death penalty.

In addition to Tanzi's case, upcoming executions in other states, including South Carolina and Texas, highlight the ongoing national debate over capital punishment, which remains a contentious issue with varying levels of public support.

Recent polls indicate that support for the death penalty among U.S. adults has reached a five-decade low.

As the date of Tanzi's execution approaches, the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops has advocated for clemency, appealing to Governor DeSantis to spare his life based on his troubled upbringing and the impact of trauma on his actions.