Florida veteran on death row requests reprieve before scheduled execution on Thursday.

Attorneys are making a concerted effort to halt the scheduled execution of Jeffrey Hutchinson, a 62-year-old Army veteran, on Thursday evening in Florida. Hutchinson’s legal team contends that he suffers from significant mental health issues, exacerbated by Gulf War illness, which impair his rational understanding of the situation he faces.

Hutchinson was convicted in 2001 for the shotgun murders of his girlfriend and her three young children at their Okaloosa County home. The severity of the crime led to a death sentence specifically for the children’s murders.

His defense asserts that the psychological damage stemming from his military service, coupled with over two decades of isolation on death row, has rendered him incapable of comprehending the execution process. Family members, including Hutchinson’s brother, claim that his mental capacity has significantly diminished over the years.

Unless a court intervenes, Hutchinson is slated to be executed by lethal injection at Florida State Prison near Starke. A veteran of the U.S. Army Rangers, Hutchinson served in frontline positions during the Gulf War, where he reportedly encountered dangerous situations, including possible exposure to the nerve agent Sarin gas from destroyed chemical weapons in Iraq.

Upon his return home, Hutchinson exhibited marked changes in behavior. Friends and family noted that he became increasingly reserved and hypervigilant, suffering from persistent skin rashes and severe health issues such as coughing and vomiting blood. A neurologist who examined him prior to his trial identified numerous signs of Gulf War Illness and found damage to his brain affecting executive functions, attributing these symptoms to his wartime exposure.

Despite these findings and the ongoing mental health struggles, Florida has pursued the death penalty. Hutchinson was found guilty of the 1998 murders of his girlfriend, Renee Flaherty, and her children—Logan, 4; Amanda, 7; and Geoffrey, 9. Following an argument with Flaherty, Hutchinson left their home and consumed alcohol at a bar, later returning to find his family dead.

During the investigation, Hutchinson claimed that masked intruders committed the murders, but the evidence contradicted his account, including gunshot residue on his hands. His defense at trial downplayed his mental state, leading to a conviction without fully exploring his psychological background.

Questions about Hutchinson’s mental health have persisted throughout his case, with some experts indicating he may suffer from bipolar disorder. His refusal to pursue an insanity defense complicated matters further, as he did not want to admit guilt to the crime.

As the execution date approaches, members of Hutchinson’s family and supporters have sought to raise awareness about his mental health issues and the circumstances surrounding his case. They argue that his service to the country and subsequent lack of appropriate mental health treatment merit consideration in the clemency process. Recently, Hutchinson’s family traveled to Tallahassee to meet with Governor Ron DeSantis, advocating for a review of his case.

Hutchinson’s execution, set against the backdrop of his troubled psyche and military history, raises critical questions about the intersection of mental health, the legal system, and capital punishment. As his scheduled execution date looms closer, the hope remains that the courts may take a closer look at both the evidence and the individual’s mental state before proceeding.