STARKE, Fla. — The Latest on the execution of Florida serial killer Bobby Joe Long (all times local):

A woman who survived an assault by convicted Florida serial killer Bobby Joe Long says his execution brought her peace.

Lisa Noland sat in the front row at Thursday’s execution of the 65-year-old inmate at Florida State Prison. She says she wanted to look him in the eye but he kept them closed.

“I wanted to be the first person he saw. Unfortunately, he didn’t open his eyes,” Noland said.

She began to cry after leaving once it was over. Says Noland, “The peace that came over me is a remarkable feeling.”

Noland was 17 in 1984 when she was abducted and raped by Long, but he released her. She eventually led police to the man who later admitted killing 10 women in the Tampa Bay area. He drew the death sentence for one of the killings, of a 22-year-old woman.

Convicted serial killer Bobby Joe Long had no last words before he was executed for a 1984 murder spree that claimed 10 women.

Witnesses say the 65-year-old Long simply closed his eyes as the lethal injection procedure began Thursday at Florida State Prison. In the front row was Lisa Noland, who was abducted and raped by Long before he released her — and she was able to lead police to him.

Another witness had on a polo shirt with photos of all 10 victims on the back and the words, “The Ones That Matter.”

He was captured after an eight-month killing spree in the Tampa Bay area. Long confessed to the crimes, receiving 28 life sentences and one death sentence for the murder of 22-year-old Michelle Simms.

A serial killer who terrorized Florida with a 1984 murder spree that claimed 10 women has been put to death.

Authorities say 65-year-old Bobby Joe Long was pronounced dead at 6:55 p.m. Thursday following a lethal injection at Florida State Prison.

He was captured after an eight-month killing spree. Long confessed to the crimes, receiving 28 life sentences and one death sentence for the murder of 22-year-old Michelle Simms.

The killings began in March 1984. Most of the victims were strangled. Some had their throats slit. Others were bludgeoned. Authorities say the killer positioned most of the bodies in gruesome poses.

Long’s undoing was a 17-year-old. Long abducted, raped and then released Lisa Noland . She left evidence and gave police details that led to the man’s capture.

The U.S. Supreme Court has cleared the way for the execution of a serial killer who killed 10 women in Florida.

The justices denied the final appeals of 65-year-old Bobby Joe Long, who was set to receive a lethal injection at Florida State Prison. The planned 6 p.m. execution was delayed slightly while the justices considered the case.

Long was condemned for the killing of 22-year-old Michelle Simms. He also was serving 28 life sentences for the other crimes committed in the Tampa Bay area.

Long’s undoing was a 17-year-old. Long abducted, raped and then released Lisa Noland. She left evidence and gave police details that led to his arrest.

The scheduled execution of a serial killer who killed 10 women in Florida has been delayed temporarily while the U.S. Supreme Court considers his final appeals.

Sixty-five-year-old Bobby Joe Long was set to receive a lethal injection at 6 p.m. Thursday at Florida State Prison, but the justices had not yet ruled in his case. Barring a reprieve, the execution would take place later Thursday.

Long was condemned for the killing of 22-year-old Michelle Simms. He also was serving 28 life sentences for the other crimes committed in the Tampa Bay area.

Prison officials say no one visited a serial killer facing execution for a murder spree that claimed the lives of 10 women in Florida in 1984.

Barring a last-minute court reprieve, Bobby Joe Long is scheduled to receive a lethal injection at Florida State Prison on Thursday evening. Long was condemned for the killing of 22-year-old Michelle Simms. He also was serving 28 life sentences for the other crimes committed in the Tampa Bay area.

Prison officials say Long’s last meal was a roast beef sandwich, french fries, bacon and a soda.

A serial killer whose murderous spree claimed the lives of 10 women in Florida in 1984 is set to die.

Bobby Joe Long is scheduled to die by lethal injection at Florida State Prison on Thursday. Long was condemned for one of the killings, that of 22-year-old Michelle Simms. He also had been serving 28 life sentences for the other crimes committed in the Tampa Bay area over an eight-month period in 1984.

But he was undone by a 17-year-old who described being abducted, raped and released a day later. She gave police details that led to his arrest.

Now that victim, Lisa Noland, is preparing to watch the execution. In an interview, she said she would tell long “Thank you” for picking her as a victim, because she helped solve the crime.

Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. </s> Serial killer Bobby Joe Long has eaten his last meal ahead of his execution this evening.

The murderer is being put to death by lethal injection for the slaying of eight women in Tampa in the 1980s.

Long admitted to killing eight women - he was charged with 10 - but has hinted at having more victims, although that has never been confirmed.

Authorities said he had also admitted to raping about 40 women.

Long, 65, is being held in Florida State Prison and has spent 34 years on death row.

He ate his final meal at 9.30am local time, according to US media.

He was first sentenced to death in 1985 and had no guests at the prison today, reports the Tampa Bay Times.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Long’s death warrant on April 24, making it the first death sentence the governor has authorized since he took office in January.

Long was captured after Lisa McVey, 17, persuaded Long to release her rather than kill her in 1984.

He was the child of single mum Louella Long who worked late nights in a bar and regularly brought men back to the bedroom she shared with her son in their tiny flat.

He also suffered from a rare medical condition, because he was born with an extra chromosome, which resulted in him growing breasts at 13.

He had surgery, but was still bullied.

Starting in 1981, Long answered classified ads for small appliances, and if he found a woman alone at home, he would rape her.

Long moved to the Tampa area in 1983. It was year later he started his brutal killings.

The bodies were found usually long after the murder in a state of decomposition, dumped near a rural roadside and dragged into the woods.

The US Supreme Court is reviewing three petitions and applications for stays of execution for Long.

The last person to be executed in Florida was Jose Jimenez on December 13, 2018. </s> STARKE, Fla. — Nearly 35 years after murdering at least 10 women, Bobby Joe Long was executed this evening.

IN DEPTH: Click here for a thorough history of the Bobby Joe Long case.

Below are the latest updates from the scene.

Lisa McVey was Long's final victim. He grabbed the 17-year-old girl while she was riding home on her bike, held her hostage for 26 hours and raped and tortured her.

It was her testimony that was pivotal to his conviction.

Speaking to the media, she remembered the "Ten Angels," the women who were killed.

McVey, who became a Hillsborough County deputy, said after she escaped from Long, she dedicated her life to being "the voice of the victims."

She tearfully thanked Long for picking her, not some other 17-year-old girl, as a victim. She said she forgave him, for if she hadn't she would have been in a prison of her own.

"I chose not to become a victim," she said. "I chose to live."

"May God have mercy on your soul."

Family members of Bobby Joe Long's victims are speaking to the media after his execution.

Vicki Elliot's brother thanked Gov. Ron DeSantis for signing the warrant for his execution.

Chanel Williams' mother said the execution gives her peace of mind knowing justice has been done.

Kim Swan's sister says she thinks Long was as shocked as any of the survivors that he was executed. She said she thinks he thought he would sit in prison until he died naturally.

10News Jennifer Titus described the execution chamber as Bobby Joe Long was executed. She said the room was silent as he took his last breaths.

Titus said Long appeared emotionless and made no statements before the lethal injection began.

She said the time of death was 6:55 p.m.

As the victims' survivors left the chamber, they were smiling, she said.

Family members will be speaking to the media soon.

Convicted serial killer Bobby Joe Long has been executed after sitting on Florida’s death row for 34 years.

The U.S. Supreme Court has cleared the way for the execution of a serial killer who killed 10 women in Florida.

The justices denied the final appeals of 65-year-old Bobby Joe Long, who is set to receive a lethal injection at Florida State Prison. The planned 6 p.m. execution was delayed slightly while the justices considered the case.

About a dozen anti-death penalty protesters are outside Florida State Prison in Starke. They are mostly sitting in lawn chairs or milling about.

Journalists board a bus to be taken to the execution scene.

10News reporter Jennifer Titus confirms Long had no visitors on the last day of his life.

10News reporter Jennifer Titus is in Starke, Fla., to witness Long's execution.

These are her thoughts about witnessing the lethal injection.

A man that has been sitting on death row for 34 years accused of killing at least 10 women in the Bay Area.

It’s not something I thought I would ever see. But something I feel I have to.

No matter your thoughts. Your views. I have had people tell me that covering this man’s death is glorifying it.

I am there as a professional journalist doing the job that you expect me to do. I am there to tell you the absolute truth. I am there to tell you the facts.

The state of Florida allows a dozen members of the media to witness an execution. And because of that, we know when an execution may have been botched. Whether or not a controversial drug may or may not have caused pain to the prisoner. We know this stuff has happened because of journalists’ accounts from inside the room.

And today, I will give you my full account as a journalist.

I will also be in there with family members of Bobby Joe Long’s victims.

This is something they never thought they would see, but they feel they have to.

Long is one of the longest-sitting inmates on Florida’s death row.

For the families of his victims, today will bring justice. It will bring closure.

Officials say Bobby Joe Long’s last meal was a roast beef sandwich, bacon, and a soda. He had it this morning.

10News Reporter Emerald Morrow explains what happens ahead of Bobby Joe Long's execution. She says the execution team will undergo an extensive preparation period to ensure the process goes as planned.

The warden will select a primary and secondary executioner as part of a larger execution team. The primary executioner’s role is to inject the flow of chemicals into the death row inmate. The secondary executioner is there for backup.

Click here to read Emerald's full explanation of the pre-execution process.

A serial killer whose murderous spree claimed the lives of 10 women in Florida in 1984 is set to die.

Bobby Joe Long is scheduled to die by lethal injection at Florida State Prison on Thursday. Long was condemned for one of the killings, that of 22-year-old Michelle Simms. He also had been serving 28 life sentences for the other crimes committed in the Tampa Bay area over an eight-month period in 1984.

But he was undone by a 17-year-old who described being abducted, raped and released a day later. She gave police details that led to his arrest.

Now that victim, Lisa Noland, is preparing to watch the execution. In an interview, she said she would tell long "Thank you" for picking her as a victim, because she helped solve the crime.

The Associated Press contributed to this blog.

RELATED: What happens ahead of Bobby Joe Long’s execution?

What other people are reading right now:
• Video appears to show somebody taking a bath in the kitchen sink at a Florida Wendy's
• City trying to force RV lot to take down giant US flag

►Have a news tip? Email desk@wtsp.com, or visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed. </s> The Latest: Serial killer has no visitors before execution

STARKE, Fla. (AP) — The Latest on Execution-Serial Killer (all times local):

Prison officials say no one visited a serial killer facing execution for a murder spree that claimed the lives of 10 women in Florida in 1984.

Barring a last-minute court reprieve, Bobby Joe Long is scheduled to receive a lethal injection at Florida State Prison on Thursday evening. Long was condemned for the killing of 22-year-old Michelle Simms. He also was serving 28 life sentences for the other crimes committed in the Tampa Bay area.

He was undone by a 17-year-old snatched off her bicycle while riding home from her work. Long released her a day later and she gave police details that led to his capture.

Prison officials say Long's last meal was a roast beef sandwich, french fries, bacon and a soda.

A serial killer whose murderous spree claimed the lives of 10 women in Florida in 1984 is set to die.

Bobby Joe Long is scheduled to die by lethal injection at Florida State Prison on Thursday. Long was condemned for one of the killings, that of 22-year-old Michelle Simms. He also had been serving 28 life sentences for the other crimes committed in the Tampa Bay area over an eight-month period in 1984.

But he was undone by a 17-year-old snatched off her bicycle while riding home from her work. Long released her a day later and she gave police details that led to his arrest.

Now that victim, Lisa Noland, is preparing to watch the execution. In an interview, she said she would tell long "Thank you" for picking her as a victim, because she helped solve the crime. </s> A serial killer who terrorised Florida with a 1984 spree that claimed the lives of 10 women has been executed.

A serial killer who terrorised Florida with a 1984 spree that claimed the lives of 10 women has been executed.

Inmate Bobby Joe Long was pronounced dead on Thursday evening after a lethal injection at Florida State Prison, authorities said.

The 65-year-old had no last words before his execution, with witnesses saying he simply closed his eyes as the procedure began.

The killer terrified the Tampa Bay area for eight months in 1984 as women began showing up dead, their bodies often left in gruesome positions.

Most of the victims were strangled, some had their throats slit and others were bludgeoned.

Law enforcement had few clues until the case of Lisa Noland.

Then 17, Ms Noland was abducted by Long outside a church that year. He raped her but ultimately let her go free.

She left evidence of his crimes at the scene and gave police details that led to his capture.

Long confessed to the crimes, receiving 28 life sentences and one death sentence for the murder of 22-year-old Michelle Simms.

Investigators had been baffled by the trail of bodies Long left in the Tampa Bay area. Artiss Ann Wick was the first woman killed, in March 1984, and nine victims followed.

Ms Noland said on Wednesday that she planned to sit in the front row in the room where witnesses watched executions. She said she wanted to hear Long’s final words, though she would not be able to address him.

But if she could, it would be this, she said: “I would say ‘Thank you for choosing me and not another 17-year-old girl.'”

“Another 17-year-old girl probably wouldn’t have been able to handle it the way that I have,” she said.

Long moved from West Virginia to the Miami area as a child and was raised by his mother, a cocktail waitress.

After high school, he married his childhood sweetheart, but the relationship became violent.

Investigators gave the serial killer the moniker The Classified Ad Rapist while trying to solve dozens of rapes. Long would go through classified ads and make appointments to see items for sale. If a woman answered the door and was alone, he would rape her. </s> A serial killer who terrorized Florida with a murderous spree that claimed 10 women in 1984 was put to death Thursday, his execution witnessed by a woman who survived one of his attacks and aided in his capture. Bobby Joe Long, 65, was pronounced dead at 6:55 p.m. Thursday following a lethal injection at Florida State Prison. Long had no last words, simply closing his eyes as the procedure began, witnesses said.

The killer terrified the Tampa Bay area for eight months in 1984 as women began showing up dead, their bodies often left in gruesome poses. Most were strangled, some had their throats slit, and others were bludgeoned.

Law enforcement had few clues until the case of Lisa Noland, who survived one of Long's attacks. She witnessed Thursday's execution from the front row.

Just 17 in 1984, Noland was abducted by Long outside a church that year. He raped her but ultimately let her go free. She left evidence of his crimes on the scene and gave police details leading to his capture. Long confessed to the crimes, receiving 28 life sentences and one death sentence for the murder of 22-year-old Michelle Simms.

Noland positioned herself in the witness room where she hoped Long would see her.

"I wanted to look him in the eye. I wanted to be the first person he saw. Unfortunately, he didn't open his eyes," she said. "It was comforting to know this was actually happening."

She said she began to cry after she left the room once it was over.

"The peace that came over me is a remarkable feeling," she said.

Another witness wore a polo shirt with a photo of one victim on the front and the words "Gone But Not Forgotten." On the back were photos of all 10 slaying victims and the words, "The Ones That Matter."

Family members of Long's victims are spoke to the media after the execution, CBS Tampa affliate WTSP reports. Vicki Elliot's brother thanked Gov. Ron DeSantis for signing the warrant for his execution and Chanel Williams' mother said the execution gives her peace of mind knowing justice has been done.

Kim Swan's sister said she thinks Long was as shocked as any of the survivors that he was executed. She said she thinks he thought he would sit in prison until he died naturally.

Noland was the victim Long let go. The day before her abduction, she said, she had written a suicide note, planning to end her life after years of sexual abuse by her grandmother's boyfriend.

But she ended up making heroic use of that history.

"At the time he put the gun to my head, it was nothing new to me," she told The Associated Press earlier this week.

She said she knew from her past abuse that if she fought Long, it would enrage him.

"I had to learn who he was, what made him tick. If I did the wrong move, could it end my life? So literally, the night before I wrote a suicide note out, and now I was in a position where I had to save my life," she said on Wednesday.

Investigators were baffled by the trail of bodies Long left around Tampa Bay. Artiss Ann Wick was the first killed, in March 1984. Nine others followed.

Law enforcement had few clues until Noland told her story.

Noland said beforehand that she knew what she would have said if she could have addressed Long. Said Noland: "I would say 'Thank you for choosing me and not another 17-year-old girl.'"

"Another 17-year-old girl probably wouldn't have been able to handle it the way that I have," she said.

Long moved from West Virginia to the Miami area as a child and was raised by his mother, a cocktail waitress. After high school, he married his childhood sweetheart, but later became violent. The ex-wife, Cindy Brown , told AP she recalls fearing for her life as the attacks grew worse, including a day he choked her and knocked her unconscious.

WTSP reported he had no visitors the day he was executed.

In the AP interview Wednesday, Noland described her attack in excruciating detail: the church where Long abducted her, the gun he pressed to her head, the bright light she could see on the car's dashboard beneath the edge of her blindfold. It said Magnum, as in Dodge Magnum.

She was menstruating and made sure she left blood evidence on the car's backseat. She could tell when they were on an interstate north of Tampa. When she was brought to the killer's apartment, she counted the steps up to the second floor. When he let her use the bathroom, she made sure she left fingerprints everywhere.

She knew she couldn't make him angry. She appealed to a glimmer of kindness he showed while he washed her hair after raping her repeatedly. She asked what made him do what he did. He said he had suffered a bad breakup and hated women. She told him he seemed nice and that maybe she could be his girlfriend. She wouldn't tell anyone.

Long later got Noland dressed. He let her loose and told her not to take the blindfold off for five minutes. She got out of the car and tripped on the curb. Long caught her before she fell. She waited for what seemed like an eternity and pulled off the blindfold. She was in front of a tree in another churchyard.

Today, she claims that tree as hers, and included it in the design of a T-shirt she made to mark Long's execution.

And she's joined the ranks of the law enforcement officers who captured Long. She's a deputy with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, the same department she helped lead to Long's arrest. </s> Bobby Joe Long, a serial killer who terrorized Florida with a 1984 spree that claimed the lives of 10 women, was executed Thursday.

Long was pronounced dead at 6:55 Thursday after a lethal injection at Florida State Prison, authorities said.

The killer terrified the Tampa Bay area for eight months in 1984 as women began showing up dead, their bodies often left in gruesome positions. Most of the victims were strangled. Some had their throats slit. Others were bludgeoned.

Law enforcement had few clues until the case of Lisa Noland. Then 17, Noland was abducted by Long outside a church that year. He raped her but ultimately let her go free. She left evidence of his crimes on the scene and gave police details that lead to his capture.

Long confessed to the crimes, receiving 28 life sentences and one death sentence for the murder of 22-year-old Michelle Simms.

Noland became the victim Long let go. The day before her abduction, she'd written a suicide note, planning to end her life after years of sexual abuse by her grandmother's boyfriend.

But she ended up using heroic use of that history.

"At the time he put the gun to my head, it was nothing new to me," she told The Associated Press.

She said she knew from her past abuse that if she fought Long, it would further enrage him.

"I had to study this guy," she said. "I had to learn who he was, what made him tick. If I did the wrong move, could it end my life? So literally, the night before I wrote a suicide note out, and now I was in a position where I had to save my life."

Investigators were baffled by the trail of bodies Long left in the Tampa Bay area. Artiss Ann Wick was the first woman killed, in March 1984.

Law enforcement had few clues until Noland told her story.

Noland said Wednesday that she planned to sit in the front row in the room where witnesses watched executions. She said she wanted to hear Long's final words, though she wouldn't be able to address him.

But if she could, it would be this, she said: "I would say 'Thank you for choosing me and not another 17-year-old girl.'"

"Another 17-year-old girl probably wouldn't have been able to handle it the way that I have," she said.

Long moved from West Virginia to the Miami area as a child and was raised by his mother, a cocktail waitress. After high school, he married his childhood sweetheart, but the relationship became violent. The ex-wife, Cindy Brown, told AP she recalls fearing for her life as the attacks grew worse, including a day he choked her and knocked her unconscious.

Investigators gave the serial killer the moniker "The Classified Ad Rapist" while trying to solve dozens of rapes. Long would go through classified ads and make appointments to see items for sale. If a woman answered the door and was alone, he'd rape her.

In the AP interview Wednesday, Noland described her attack in excruciating detail: the church where Long abducted her, the gun he pressed against her head, the bright light she could see on the car's dashboard beneath the edge of her blindfold. It said Magnum, as in Dodge Magnum.

She was menstruating, and she made sure she left blood evidence on the backseat of his car. She could tell the direction they were driving and when they were on Interstate 275 north of Tampa. When she was brought to the killer's apartment, she counted the steps up to the second floor. When he let her use the bathroom, she made sure she left fingerprints everywhere.

She knew she couldn't make him angry. She appealed to a glimmer of kindness he showed while he washed her hair after raping her repeatedly. She asked what made him do what he did. He said he had suffered a bad breakup and hated women. She told him he seemed nice and that maybe she could be his girlfriend. She wouldn't tell anyone.

Long later got Noland dressed. He let her loose and told her not to take the blindfold off for five minutes. She got out of the car and tripped on the curb. Long caught her before she fell. She waited for what seemed like an eternity and pulled off the blindfold. She was in front of a tree in another churchyard.

Today, she claims that tree as hers, and included it in the design of a T-shirt she made to mark Long's execution.

And she's joined the ranks of the law enforcement officers who captured Long. She's a deputy with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, the same department she helped lead to Long's arrest.

Associated Press writer Curt Anderson in Miami contributed to this story. </s> STARKE, Fla. — Nearly 35 years after murdering at least 10 women, Bobby Joe Long is set to be executed this evening.

IN DEPTH: Click here for a thorough history of the Bobby Joe Long case.

Below are the latest updates from the scene.

Convicted serial killer Bobby Joe Long has been executed after sitting on Florida’s death row for 34 years.

The U.S. Supreme Court has cleared the way for the execution of a serial killer who killed 10 women in Florida.

The justices denied the final appeals of 65-year-old Bobby Joe Long, who is set to receive a lethal injection at Florida State Prison. The planned 6 p.m. execution was delayed slightly while the justices considered the case.

About a dozen anti-death penalty protesters are outside Florida State Prison in Starke. They are mostly sitting in lawn chairs or milling about.

Journalists board a bus to be taken to the execution scene.

10News reporter Jennifer Titus confirms Long had no visitors on the last day of his life.

10News reporter Jennifer Titus is in Starke, Fla., to witness Long's execution.

These are her thoughts about witnessing the lethal injection.

A man that has been sitting on death row for 34 years accused of killing at least 10 women in the Bay Area.

It’s not something I thought I would ever see. But something I feel I have to.

No matter your thoughts. Your views. I have had people tell me that covering this man’s death is glorifying it.

I am there as a professional journalist doing the job that you expect me to do. I am there to tell you the absolute truth. I am there to tell you the facts.

The state of Florida allows a dozen members of the media to witness an execution. And because of that, we know when an execution may have been botched. Whether or not a controversial drug may or may not have caused pain to the prisoner. We know this stuff has happened because of journalists’ accounts from inside the room.

And today, I will give you my full account as a journalist.

I will also be in there with family members of Bobby Joe Long’s victims.

This is something they never thought they would see, but they feel they have to.

Long is one of the longest-sitting inmates on Florida’s death row.

For the families of his victims, today will bring justice. It will bring closure.

Officials say Bobby Joe Long’s last meal was a roast beef sandwich, bacon, and a soda. He had it this morning.

10News Reporter Emerald Morrow explains what happens ahead of Bobby Joe Long's execution. She says the execution team will undergo an extensive preparation period to ensure the process goes as planned.

The warden will select a primary and secondary executioner as part of a larger execution team. The primary executioner’s role is to inject the flow of chemicals into the death row inmate. The secondary executioner is there for backup.

Click here to read Emerald's full explanation of the pre-execution process.

A serial killer whose murderous spree claimed the lives of 10 women in Florida in 1984 is set to die.

Bobby Joe Long is scheduled to die by lethal injection at Florida State Prison on Thursday. Long was condemned for one of the killings, that of 22-year-old Michelle Simms. He also had been serving 28 life sentences for the other crimes committed in the Tampa Bay area over an eight-month period in 1984.

But he was undone by a 17-year-old who described being abducted, raped and released a day later. She gave police details that led to his arrest.

Now that victim, Lisa Noland, is preparing to watch the execution. In an interview, she said she would tell long "Thank you" for picking her as a victim, because she helped solve the crime.

The Associated Press contributed to this blog.

RELATED: What happens ahead of Bobby Joe Long’s execution?

What other people are reading right now:
• Video appears to show somebody taking a bath in the kitchen sink at a Florida Wendy's
• City trying to force RV lot to take down giant US flag

►Have a news tip? Email desk@wtsp.com, or visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed. </s> TALLAHASSEE — In the first execution since Gov. Ron DeSantis took office, serial killer Bobby Joe Long was put to death by lethal injection Thursday evening at Florida State Prison.

Long, 65, died at 6:55 p.m., becoming the 98th inmate executed since the death penalty was reinstated in Florida in 1976 — and the first since Jose A. Jimenez was executed Dec. 13. Michelle Glady, a Department of Corrections spokeswoman, said the execution “took place without incident.”

The U.S. Supreme Court issued three orders Thursday denying requests for stays of execution. The one-page orders did not explain the Supreme Court’s reasoning.

Long was sentenced to death in the May 1984 murder of Michelle Simms after picking her up on Kennedy Boulevard in Tampa. In 1985. Long also pleaded guilty to seven additional first-degree murder charges and numerous charges for sexual batteries and kidnappings in the Tampa Bay region.

As DeSantis signed a death warrant last month for Long, his office released a grisly description of Simms’ death.

“On or about May 27, 1984, Long approached Simms, and she entered his car,” the description said. “Long drove Simms to a remote location, forced her to undress at knife point, and tied her to the car seat. Long then raped Simms and attempted to strangle her. When his attempts failed, he hit her head with a club and pushed her from the car. Long slit her throat and left her on the side of the road to die.”

After the death warrant was signed, Long’s attorney filed a series of appeals in state and federal courts to try to halt the execution. A petition filed at the Florida Supreme Court, for example, contended that Long should be spared from execution because of a “significant history of mental illness” and the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

“Given his severe mental illness and in light of the evolving standards of decency, Long must be exempt from execution pursuant to the Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution,” the petition said.

The Florida Supreme Court, however, rejected the arguments. This week, the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals also turned down Long’s arguments, including that Florida’s lethal-injection procedure, which involves the use of three drugs, violates the ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

“But Florida has used a three-drug protocol since January 14, 2000, when it added lethal injection as a new method of execution,” the appeals court ruling said. “Long has had 19 years to challenge the use of a three-drug protocol. Nineteen years is too long to wait.”

Glady said Long woke up at 7:30 a.m. Thursday and had his last meal at 9:30 a.m.

“He requested a roast beef sandwich, bacon, French fries and soda,” Glady said. “Mr. Long did not have any visitors.”
American serial killer Bobby Joe Long who murdered 10 women in the Tampa Bay Area during an eight month period in 1984 is executed by lethal injection.