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Mascotte Today
By the People, for the People
Florida Supreme Court Halts Execution of Ex-Cop Convicted in 1987 Murder
DNA evidence fails to conclusively exonerate or convict James Duckett, who has spent nearly 40 years on death row.
Apr. 1, 2026 at 2:08am
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The Florida Supreme Court has denied the state's request to lift a stay of execution for James Duckett, a former Mascotte police officer convicted of murdering and raping an 11-year-old girl in 1987. The court is keeping the execution on hold after DNA testing of evidence failed to provide a clear answer on Duckett's innocence or guilt.
Why it matters
The Duckett case has drawn intense scrutiny due to his former role as a police officer and his longstanding claims of innocence. The court's decision to keep the execution on hold highlights the challenges of relying on decades-old forensic evidence, such as hair matching, when modern DNA testing fails to provide a definitive answer.
The details
In 1987, then-29-year-old Mascotte police officer James Duckett was seen questioning 11-year-old Teresa McAbee at a convenience store before she disappeared. Her body was later found sexually assaulted, strangled, and drowned. Duckett was identified as the last person to see her alive, and evidence such as a pubic hair match, fingerprints, and tire tracks linked him to the crime. However, the reliability of some of this evidence has since been questioned.
- On May 11, 1987, Duckett was seen with Teresa McAbee at a convenience store.
- Teresa's body was found the next morning in Knight Lake, less than a mile from the store.
- Duckett was convicted and sentenced to death in 1988.
- DNA testing of evidence was conducted in 2026, but the results were inconclusive.
- Duckett's execution was scheduled for April 4, 2026, but the Florida Supreme Court denied the state's request to lift the stay on April 1, 2026.
The players
James Duckett
A former Mascotte police officer convicted of murdering and raping 11-year-old Teresa McAbee in 1987. He has spent nearly 40 years on Florida's death row.
Teresa McAbee
An 11-year-old girl who was murdered and sexually assaulted in 1987.
What’s next
The Florida Supreme Court has ordered the lower court to review any 'successive claims' tied to the DNA evidence and required status updates on any outstanding issues by Thursday, April 2, 2026.
The takeaway
This case highlights the challenges of relying on decades-old forensic evidence when modern DNA testing fails to provide a clear answer. The Florida Supreme Court's decision to keep the execution on hold underscores the need for a thorough review of the evidence and the potential for wrongful convictions, even in cases involving former law enforcement officers.
