Scheduled: An American Execution

Kayla Shannon

Scheduled: An American Execution is a true-crime podcast about upcoming executions in the United States and the cases behind them. Hosted by Kayla Shannon, each episode follows a case from the crime and investigation through the trial, death sentence, appeals, and the execution date now on the calendar. The goal isn’t to tell you what to think about the death penalty. It’s to slow down, look at the full record, and understand how a case moves from a crime to a date on the calendar.

  1. 1d ago

    Jeffrey Alan Weisheit: November 5, 2026

    Content warning: This episode involves the murders of two young children and includes descriptions of violence against them.On November 5, 2026, the State of Indiana executed Jeffrey Alan Weisheit for the 2010 murders of eight-year-old Alyssa Michelle Lynch and her five-year-old brother, Caleb Alexander Lynch, near Evansville. On April 9, 2010, their mother, Lisa, went to work an overnight shift, leaving the children in Weisheit’s care. By morning, firefighters were searching the remains of their home while investigators tried to locate Weisheit, who had left Indiana. This episode follows Alyssa and Caleb’s lives, the investigation, Weisheit’s trial, and the appeals that examined his mental health, reported head injuries, and legal representation. It also covers the clemency proceedings, during which the children’s parents expressed different wishes: their father, Steven, asked for life without parole, while Lisa urged Indiana to carry out the death sentence. This is the third and final case covered by Scheduled: An American Execution for November 5, 2026. Indiana confirmed Weisheit’s execution while this episode was being completed. A separate update will follow with further confirmed details. SOURCES Joint obituary for Alyssa Michelle Lynch and Caleb Alexander Lynch — childhood, family, interests, schools, and memorial arrangements. Weisheit v. State, Indiana Court of Appeals, June 29, 2012 — discovery of the children, investigation, arrest, and pretrial proceedings. Weisheit v. State, Indiana Supreme Court, February 18, 2015 — trial evidence, jury selection, hospital interview, jury-room communication, sentencing, and direct appeal. Weisheit v. State, Indiana Supreme Court, November 7, 2018 — postconviction proceedings, mental-health evidence, institutional records, expert testimony, and differing judicial opinions on legal representation. Weisheit v. Neal, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, November 2, 2022 — federal habeas proceedings. Weisheit v. Neal, Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, August 13, 2025 — federal appeal concerning the hospital interview, jury-room note, records, and expert testimony. Indiana Supreme Court, August 28 and October 22, 2026 — execution order and rulings concerning transportation for brain scans and a requested delay. Indiana Parole Board, October 2026 clemency proceedings and October 28 recommendation — testimony, competing clemency positions, and recommendation to the governor. Casey Smith, Indiana Capital Chronicle, October–November 2026 — clemency coverage, statements from the children’s parents, mental-health claims, proposed brain scans, governor’s decision, and execution-drug concerns. WFIE/14 News, April 2010 and June–July 2013 — Lisa’s memories of her children, investigation, trial testimony, sentencing proceedings, and community response. Mark Wilson, Evansville Courier & Press, April 2010 reporting reproduced by Domestic Violence Kills Indiana — neighbors’ memories, memorials, and school response. Alyssa and Caleb Facebook memorial group — public remembrance posts by grandmother Leona Taylor and other relatives and friends, including birthday messages and family memories. WFIE/14 News and Associated Press, November 5, 2026 — confirmation that Indiana carried out Weisheit’s execution.

  2. 1d ago

    Jesse Guardado: November 5, 2026

    On November 5, 2026 the State of Florida is scheduled to execute Jesse Guardado for the 2004 murder of Jackie Thornton Malone in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. Jackie was a mother, grandmother, real estate professional, and community volunteer who helped people find homes and represented children’s interests in court. She had also helped Jesse find work after his release from prison. As Hurricane Ivan approached the Gulf Coast, Jackie planned to stay home with her dog. Two days later, after she failed to appear at work, her brother found her dead inside her home. This episode follows Jackie’s life and the people she helped, the investigation into her murder, Guardado’s confession and sentencing, and two decades of legal challenges. This is the second of three cases covered by Scheduled: An American Execution for November 5, 2026—a triple execution day. SOURCES Guardado v. State, Florida Supreme Court, 2007 — confession, physical evidence, sentencing, and direct appeal. State’s answer brief and defense initial brief, Florida Supreme Court case SC05-2035 — investigation, medical testimony, victim-impact testimony, and sentencing arguments. Guardado v. State, Florida Supreme Court, 2015 — postconviction proceedings, psychological evidence, mitigation, jury selection, and trial counsel’s representation. Guardado v. Jones, Florida Supreme Court, 2017 — Florida’s sentencing procedure and the application of Hurst v. Florida. Guardado v. State, Florida Supreme Court, March 8, 2018 — further review of the Hurst sentencing claims. Guardado v. Secretary, Florida Department of Corrections, Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, August 12, 2024 — federal review of mitigation and jury-selection claims. Guardado v. State, Florida Supreme Court, October 29, 2026 — death-warrant proceedings, clemency, and renewed postconviction claims. Guardado v. Secretary, Department of Corrections, U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, October 30, 2026 — request for an injunction and stay concerning Florida’s execution procedure. United States Supreme Court, docket 26A623 — execution-related application and filings. Governor Ron DeSantis, death warrant signed October 5, 2026 — execution date and executive clemency determination. DeFuniak Springs Herald–Breeze newspaper archive — Jackie Thornton Malone’s obituary; Ron Kelley’s September 23, 2004 report, “DeFuniak Springs woman murdered in her home”; “Farewell Miss Jackie” coworker tribute; Bruce Collier’s reporting on counsel and penalty proceedings; and F. Diane Pickett’s memorial letter. Walton County Board of County Commissioners meeting records, 1998–2004 — Jackie’s work concerning housing assistance, fire-service funding, and emergency medical services. National Weather Service and Florida Department of Environmental Protection — Hurricane Ivan’s development, landfall, and regional effects. Property listing photographs and descriptions for Jackie’s former Thornton Road home — physical setting and later property descriptions.

  3. 3d ago

    Michael Shannon Taylor: November 5, 2026

    On November 5, 2026 the State of Alabama is scheduled to execute Michael Shannon Taylor for the 1991 murders of Ivan Ernest Moore and Lucille Burke Moore in Gadsden, Alabama. Ernie and Lucille were approaching their fiftieth wedding anniversary when a familiar young man came to their home and asked to use the telephone. Two days later, an unanswered call from their daughter-in-law led a neighbor to check on them. Ernie was dead, and Lucille was still alive, badly injured. She died four days after she was found. Michael Shannon Taylor was nineteen and absent without leave from the Navy. After his arrest in the Moores’ Cadillac, he confessed to the robbery and beatings. His attorneys acknowledged his responsibility, but disputed whether he had intended to kill. That question, and the evidence the jury heard about it, became central to his trial and appeals. This is the first of three cases covered by Scheduled: An American Execution for November 5, 2026—a triple execution day. SOURCES Taylor v. State, Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals, July 8, 1994 — trial evidence, confession, jury selection, sentencing, and direct appeal. Ex parte Taylor, Alabama Supreme Court, May 5, 1995 — convictions, death sentence, and jurors’ views on punishment. Taylor v. State, Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals, August 27, 2004 — postconviction claims, defense strategy, psychological evidence, and trial counsel’s representation. Ex parte Taylor, Alabama Supreme Court, September 30, 2005 — ineffective-assistance claims and the difference between plain-error review and evaluating counsel’s failures. Taylor v. State, Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals, August 25, 2006 — further proceedings on ineffective-assistance claims; reporter’s note documenting the 2008 dispositions. Taylor v. Culliver, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, September 26, 2012 — federal habeas review, trial testimony, mitigation, and constitutional claims. Taylor v. Culliver, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, August 6, 2015 — jury selection, felony-murder instructions, defense strategy, and psychological mitigation. U.S. Supreme Court, docket 16-5697 — denial of review in November 2016 and rehearing in January 2017. Taylor v. Dunn, U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, November 21, 2017 — lethal-injection challenge, consciousness checks, and attorneys’ telephone access during executions. In re Alabama Lethal Injection Protocol Litigation, U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, June 15, 2018 — dismissal of Taylor’s remaining challenge as untimely. Arthur v. Commissioner, Alabama Department of Corrections, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, 2017 — accounts of Ronald Bert Smith’s execution and the State’s response. Kim Craft, The Gadsden Times, April 18, 2002, “Testimony begins in appeal hearing for man convicted in 1991 murder of elderly couple” — postconviction hearing and family accounts. Lisa Rogers, The Gadsden Times, November 3, 2012 — the Moores’ family, discovery of the crime, confession excerpts, photographs, and Lisa Moore’s account. Find a Grave memorials for Ivan Ernest Moore and Lucille Burke Moore — biographical and birth-date information; Ivan’s birth year differs between records. Alabama Supreme Court execution order, June 4, 2026; Governor Kay Ivey’s execution-window letter and announcement, August 31, 2026 — warrant, execution window, method, and clemency authority. Catholic Mobilizing Network and Project Hope to Abolish the Death Penalty — clemency statements and petition campaign. Death Penalty Information Center, 2026 execution calendar — scheduled execution dates and warrant status.

  4. Oct 23

    SCHEDULED: Thomas Overton

    A new date has been added to the calendar. Florida has scheduled Thomas Mitchell Overton's execution for November 19, 2026 for the murders of Michael and Missy MacIvor. Missy was eight months pregnant and their unborn child also died. A full episode on Overton's case will release before his scheduled execution. If you knew Michael or Missy, are connected to the case, or have information you'd like to share, please contact schedulepod@gmail.com

  5. Oct 22

    UPDATE: William Reaves – Executed

    On October 20th, 2026 the State of Florida executed William Reaves for the 1986 murder of Deputy Richard Rudy Raczkoski. In this quick update, I cover Reave's final legal challenges, his last visits and meal, witness accounts of the execution, and remarks afterward from Sheriff Eric Flowers and Richard's brother Marc. This is a follow-up to my full episode on William Reaves and the murder that put him on death row.

  6. Oct 20

    UPDATE: James Robertson – Executed

    On October 13th, 2026 the State of Florida executed James Robertson for the 2008 murder of Frank Richard Hart. In this quick update, I cover Robertson's final day and execution and also share remarks from Frank's daughter Rebecca, who attended the execution and spoke afterward about her father and her family's loss. This is a follow-up to my full episode on James Robertson and the murder that put him on death row.

  7. Oct 20

    William Reaves: October 20, 2026

    On October 20, 2026 the State of Florida is scheduled to execute William Reaves for the 1986 murder of 29-year-old Indian River County Sheriff’s Deputy Richard Rudy Raczkoski. In the early morning hours of September 23, 1986, Richard responded to a disconnected 911 call from a payphone outside a convenience store near Vero Beach, Florida. Within minutes, he had been shot four times. William Reaves was a Vietnam War combat veteran whose life after military service had been marked by drug addiction and encounters with the criminal justice system. His case would raise questions about premeditation, cocaine intoxication, the psychological effects of combat, and the effectiveness of his legal representation. This episode follows Richard’s life and final shift, the investigation into his murder, Reaves’s background and military service, two murder trials, and decades of appeals. It also examines the conflicting medical testimony, challenges to Florida’s death penalty procedures, and the final legal efforts surrounding his scheduled execution. SOURCES Reaves v. State, Florida Supreme Court, January 15, 1991 — reversal of the original conviction and death sentence. Reaves v. State, Florida Supreme Court, April 7, 1994 — second trial, evidence, conviction, sentencing findings, and direct appeal. Reaves v. State, Florida Supreme Court, June 20, 2002 — postconviction claims, trial counsel’s representation, and the voluntary-intoxication defense. Reaves v. State, Florida Supreme Court, September 14, 2006 — evidentiary hearing, medical expert testimony, and ineffective-assistance claims. Reaves v. Secretary, Florida Department of Corrections, Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, May 30, 2013 — federal review of the conviction and voluntary-intoxication defense. Reaves v. Secretary, Florida Department of Corrections, Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, September 28, 2017 — federal review of sentencing-related ineffective-assistance claims. Reaves v. State, Florida Supreme Court, May 2, 2018 — Hurst-related challenge to the nonunanimous death recommendation. Reaves v. State and Reaves v. Secretary, Department of Corrections, Florida Supreme Court, October 14, 2026 — final state-court challenges, including mental-health evidence and execution-related claims. Florida Commission on Capital Cases — William Reaves case history, trial dates, sentencing, and appeals. Associated Press, October 19, 2026 — scheduled execution, military service, and recent clemency efforts.

  8. Oct 13

    James Robertson: October 13, 2026

    On October 13, 2026 the State of Florida is scheduled to execute James Robertson for the 2008 murder of 52-year-old Frank Richard Hart at Charlotte Correctional Institution. Robertson entered Florida’s adult prison system at seventeen with a ten-year sentence. Twenty-eight years later, additional sentences for crimes committed in custody had kept him incarcerated, and he had begun planning a murder with a specific goal: getting onto death row. This episode follows Robertson’s childhood, the burglary arrest that sent him to adult prison, his years of violence and close-management confinement, Frank’s life and murder, and the unusual legal proceedings that followed as Robertson sought a death sentence and resisted efforts to overturn it. It also includes Frank’s daughter Rebecca’s memories of her father and her perspective on the loss her family continues to carry. SOURCES Robertson v. State, Florida Supreme Court, July 10, 2014 — mandatory death-sentence review, Robertson’s request to limit his appeal, and appointed counsel’s motion to withdraw. Robertson v. State, Florida Supreme Court, March 17, 2016 — guilty plea, mental-health evaluations, sentencing findings, mitigation, and direct-appeal decisions. Robertson v. State, Florida Supreme Court, December 1, 2016 — review of Robertson’s waiver of postconviction proceedings and discharge of counsel. Initial Brief of Appellant, Robertson v. State, August 22, 2014 — childhood and prison history, the 2011 jail-officer attack, defense representation, and challenges to the sentencing process. Answer Brief of Appellee, Robertson v. State, December 3, 2014 — procedural history, agreed facts concerning Frank’s murder, evaluations, and sentencing evidence. Florida Department of Corrections, Corrections Offender Network — Robertson’s and Frank Richard Hart’s identifying information, incarceration histories, convictions, and sentences. Bradford County Clerk of Court, case 9500411CFAXMX — Robertson’s attempted-murder and inmate-weapon charges, no-contest plea, and sentences. Florida juvenile-prosecution law and State v. Cain, Florida Supreme Court — historical provisions allowing certain juveniles to be prosecuted as adults. I Am a Killer, Season 1, Episode 1, Netflix — interviews with James Robertson, Ann Otwell, Robert Lynch, Mike Gottfried, Robertson’s attorney, and his cousin; archival documents and custody records presented in the episode. Rebecca Hart, public posts and replies in Reddit’s r/IAmAKiller and on Facebook — memories of Frank’s work, interests and fatherhood; statements about his mental health, cell placement, and the family’s experience of the documentary. Rebecca Hart, “Help Me Be There for My Dad — Frank Richard Hart,” SupportNow, October 2026 — family grief, reasons for wanting to attend the execution, and travel fundraising. Drew Winchester, Charlotte Sun, “Fla. murderer requests, receives death sentence,” December 19, 2012, republished by Corrections1 — contemporaneous sentencing coverage and the additional sentence for the jail-officer attack. News Service of Florida, October 2026 warrant reporting — Robertson’s death warrant and scheduled execution. Associated Press, October 2026 reporting — withdrawal of William Lee Thompson’s separate death warrant and Robertson’s remaining execution date. Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, October 7, 2026 — public request to halt the executions and commute the sentences to life without parole.

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About

Scheduled: An American Execution is a true-crime podcast about upcoming executions in the United States and the cases behind them. Hosted by Kayla Shannon, each episode follows a case from the crime and investigation through the trial, death sentence, appeals, and the execution date now on the calendar. The goal isn’t to tell you what to think about the death penalty. It’s to slow down, look at the full record, and understand how a case moves from a crime to a date on the calendar.

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