Former Police Officer Convicted of Rape and Murder of 11-Year-Old Girl to Be Executed

James Aren Duckett, a former police officer, is scheduled to be put to death at Florida State Prison on March 31 for the 1987 rape and murder of Teresa McAbee.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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James Aren Duckett, a former police officer convicted of the rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl in 1987, will be executed by lethal injection on March 31 after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed his death warrant. Duckett was a police officer in the city of Mascotte when Teresa McAbee was last seen getting into his patrol car. Her body was later found in a nearby lake, and evidence showed she had been sexually battered, strangled, and drowned.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing debate around capital punishment in Florida, as the state has carried out a record number of executions in recent years. It also raises questions about the reliability of forensic evidence and the potential for wrongful convictions, as Duckett maintained his innocence for over three decades despite being found guilty.

The details

Duckett was convicted of first-degree murder and sexual battery in 1988 and sentenced to death. His conviction and sentence were upheld by the Florida Supreme Court in 1990, and he engaged in unsuccessful post-conviction litigation in both state and federal courts over the next three decades. The Attorney General's letter noted that McAbee's fingerprints were found on the hood of Duckett's patrol car, which was key evidence in the case.

  • Duckett was convicted on May 10, 1988 and sentenced to death on June 30, 1988.
  • The Florida Supreme Court affirmed Duckett's conviction and death sentence in 1990.
  • Duckett is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection on March 31, 2026.

The players

James Aren Duckett

A former police officer for the Lake County city of Mascotte who was convicted of the rape and murder of 11-year-old Teresa McAbee in 1987.

Teresa McAbee

An 11-year-old girl who was raped and murdered in 1987, with her body found in a lake less than a mile from where she was last seen getting into Duckett's patrol car.

Ron DeSantis

The Governor of Florida who signed Duckett's death warrant.

James Uthmeier

The Attorney General of Florida who sent a letter to DeSantis noting the key evidence against Duckett.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The state is scheduled to execute Billy Leon Kearse, 53, on Tuesday for the 1991 killing of Fort Pierce Police Officer Danny Parrish.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate around capital punishment in Florida, as the state has carried out a record number of executions in recent years. It also raises questions about the reliability of forensic evidence and the potential for wrongful convictions, as Duckett maintained his innocence for over three decades despite being found guilty.