Florida Executes Michael Lee King for 2008 Abduction, Rape and Murder of Denise Amber Lee After Supreme Court Rejects Final Appeal
Michael Lee King, convicted in the 2008 abduction, rape and murder of Denise Amber Lee, was executed by lethal injection Tuesday evening at Florida State Prison near Starke and was pronounced dead at 6:13 p.m. The U.S. Supreme Court denied his final appeal on Monday, and Denise Amber Lee’s 911 call while bound in King’s car helped spur passage of the Denise Amber Lee Act to improve 911 operator training.
📌 Key Facts
- Michael Lee King was executed by lethal injection Tuesday evening at Florida State Prison near Starke and was pronounced dead at 6:13 p.m.
- The U.S. Supreme Court denied King’s final appeal on Monday, clearing the way for the execution.
- King was convicted in the 2008 abduction, rape and murder of Denise Amber Lee.
- During the abduction, Denise Amber Lee placed a 911 call while she was bound in King’s car.
- Lee’s final 911 call directly contributed to passage of the Denise Amber Lee Act and helped spark reforms to improve 911 operator training.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2023, the homicide rate for Black females was 7.85 per 100,000, compared to 1.55 per 100,000 for White females.
An Analysis of 2023 Homicide Data — Violence Policy Center
In 2019, 81% of White homicide victims were killed by White offenders, and 91% of Black homicide victims were killed by Black offenders.
Race and crime in the United States — Wikipedia
In 2023, approximately 10% of female homicides by male offenders were committed by strangers, with 90% by individuals known to the victim.
Nine out of 10 Women Murdered by Men are Killed by Someone They Know, and Nearly Two-Thirds Die by Gunfire, New Violence Policy Center Study Finds — Violence Policy Center
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms Michael Lee King was executed by lethal injection Tuesday evening at Florida State Prison near Starke and pronounced dead at 6:13 p.m.
- Specifies that the U.S. Supreme Court denied King’s appeal on Monday, clearing the way for the execution.
- Reiterates concrete details of the crime and the fact that Denise Amber Lee’s 911 call while bound in King’s car directly contributed to the passage of the Denise Amber Lee Act improving 911 operator training.