Emergency application · Capital case
Retroactive death penalty relief
Edward J. Zakrzewski, II v. Florida
What did the Court do?
The Court denied the request on July 30, 2025 and refused to halt the execution.
Emergency rulings are temporary and do not decide the underlying case.
What's being asked
Edward J. Zakrzewski, a Florida prisoner under a death sentence, asked the Court to pause his execution pending review. He also asked it to review his death sentences, arguing the sentencing process was unconstitutional. He says a judge overrode a jury’s 6–6 recommendation for life on one count. He also says Florida denied him relief although more than 100 similar prisoners received it after a Supreme Court ruling.
What the Court did
The Court refused Zakrzewski’s request for a temporary pause (stay) of his execution and denied review (refused to hear his case). The order does not decide whether his challenge is correct, explain why, or disclose how the justices voted.
What it means
The ruling addresses only the requested temporary pause; it does not decide whether Zakrzewski’s challenge is right. The Florida Supreme Court’s denial of relief remains in place; the docket lists no related case for a full decision, and no argument is set.
Sources
Facts on this page come from the Supreme Court docket, orders, and opinions for No. 25A104. The answers restate that record in plain words; explainer copy is written from the record and the filings only.