DOUBLE EXECUTION

Summary

Podcast Summary: "DOUBLE EXECUTION"

Podcast: Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes Present
Host: iHeartPodcasts
Date: October 14, 2025
Episode Title: DOUBLE EXECUTION

---

Episode Overview

This episode, hosted by Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes, delves into the record-setting year for executions in the United States, focusing on two executions that took place on October 14th, 2025—one in Missouri and one in Florida. The hosts break down the details of each case, the broader legal and political trends behind the uptick in executions, and discuss the controversial nature of the death penalty's resurgence in America. The conversation is candid, sometimes somber, and occasionally marked by disbelief at the present state of capital punishment in the country.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Record Number of Executions in 2025

• Context:
  • As of this episode, the U.S. has conducted 37 executions in 2025—more than any year since 2014.
  • Florida, in particular, has set a new state record, already reaching 14 executions for the year, nearly doubling its previous annual high.
• Quote:
  • "We're used to Texas, I guess, leading the way... but Florida is way out ahead this year." – TJ Holmes [03:55]
  • "Previously the largest number of executions in one year was eight. We're already up to number 14 with more scheduled. That is remarkable." – Amy Robach [03:35]
• The episode reflects on the ongoing and scheduled executions, noting a particularly intense eight-day stretch with six executions scheduled.

2. Detailed Reporting on the Executions

Lance Shockley (Missouri Execution)

• Conviction: Murder of Missouri State Highway Patrol Sergeant Carl Graham in 2005.
• Claims of Innocence:
  • Shockley maintained his innocence until the end.
  • Defense argued lack of forensic or eyewitness evidence, sought DNA testing on key evidence unavailable during the original trial.
• Legal Process:
  • All appeals and pleas for clemency, including requests for DNA testing, were rejected by courts and the governor.
  • Notable that in Missouri (and Indiana), a judge can impose a death sentence if the jury is split, which was the case here.
• Quote:
  • "He killed the state trooper to try and basically stop the investigation into manslaughter." – Amy Robach [07:12]
  • "You better be damn sure with your evidence, or there's not going to be a lot of tolerance for that." – TJ Holmes [07:58]
  • "The jury unanimously convicted Shockley... [but] they were not unanimous in their decision to sentence him to death." – Amy Robach [09:49]

Samuel Lee Smithers (Florida Execution)

• Conviction: Double murder of two young women in the mid-1990s.
• Age & Appeals:
  • Smithers, 72, with appeals centered on his age and potential for cruel and unusual punishment.
  • All legal appeals and requests for clemency were denied.
• Execution Details:
  • Executed at 6:00 PM local time.
  • Spent his final day alone; had no visitors or spiritual advisors.
  • Last meal: fried chicken, fried fish, apple pie, and ice cream.
• Crime Details:
  • The crime described as brutal—victims were beaten, strangled, and their bodies dragged and left in a pond.
  • "That is just a horrific, horrific scene... It is fairly sickening, to say the very least." – Amy Robach [11:24]

3. Broader Trends and Historical Perspective

• The spike in executions is the highest since 2014, but still below the peaks of the late 1990s, when the U.S. saw up to 98 executions in a year.
• Discussion of how execution numbers dipped during the pandemic years and are surging now, perhaps due to logistical backlogs or policy shifts.
• Quote:
  • "That is the most we've seen in this country since 2014, I believe... But, historically... we’re not necessarily knocking on the door [of] some of those bigger numbers." – TJ Holmes [12:09]

4. Legal and Political Factors Driving the Uptick

• Drug Availability and Protocol Controversies:

  • Past delays caused by lack of execution drugs (pharmaceutical companies refusing to supply them).
  • Ongoing concerns about botched executions and cruel/unusual punishment have led states to adjust execution methods (e.g., firing squad, nitrogen gas).
  • Amy recalls her experience witnessing a difficult execution and the nationwide debate over humane methods.
  • Quote:
    • "We have the death penalty, but we want to kill you as comfortably as possible... We violate your constitutional rights if you are uncomfortable when we do so." – TJ Holmes [18:39]

• State-Level Patterns:

  • Texas, Florida, South Carolina, and Alabama are highlighted as leading execution states.
  • 27 states currently maintain the death penalty; 23 do not.

• Federal Directives and Executive Orders:

  • Notably, President Trump's January 2025 executive order—titled "Restoring the death penalty and Protecting public safety"—revitalized federal support for capital punishment.
  • The order pushed the Justice Department to enforce and assist with capital cases, notably emphasizing cases involving law enforcement victims and undocumented immigrants.
  • Quote:
    • "He wants the Attorney General to pursue federal jurisdiction and seek the death penalty regardless of other factors... [including] a capital crime committed by... an illegal... alien illegally present in this country." – Amy Robach [21:20]

5. The Ethics, Costs, and Efficacy of the Death Penalty

• Robach and Holmes reflect on America's unique position as the only Western nation actively carrying out executions.
• They question death penalty’s role as a deterrent and note its higher cost compared to life imprisonment.
• Acknowledgement of divided public opinion and sporadic attention to the death penalty issue amidst other pressing national concerns.
• Notable Quotes:
  • "We are the only western civilized country that still has legal executions, and yet our crime rates are among the highest..." – Amy Robach [22:28]
  • "It is significantly more expensive to execute a prisoner than to maintain them for life in prison." – Amy Robach [22:52]
  • "It seems bizarre that we are just routinely killing folks, but that's the United States of America right now in 2025." – Amy Robach [23:41]

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Execution Details:
  • "Smithers last meal was fried chicken, fried fish along with apple pie and ice cream." – Amy Robach [06:23]
• On America's Attitude:
  • "We're fighting and fighting and fighting to make sure we kill people, but we kill humanely." – TJ Holmes [18:58]
• On Policy Shift:
  • "He signed right after getting into office... Restoring the death penalty and Protecting public safety." – TJ Holmes [20:47]
• On Broader Context:
  • "Some people might say it's about time. Others might feel really sickened by where we are." – Amy Robach [22:28]

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:57] – Main episode opens: Announcement of executions and statistical context
• [03:55] – Florida’s execution record and state-by-state discussion
• [04:39 – 09:49] – Breakdown of the Lance Shockley case: legal maneuvers, evidence, and execution
• [05:23 – 06:43] – Details on Samuel Lee Smithers: crime, appeals, final day, last meal
• [10:41 – 12:09] – Recap of both crimes and the historical perspective on execution numbers
• [13:33] – Return from break: Trends in executions and Robert Roberson case (stay in Texas)
• [16:42 – 19:20] – Why the uptick? Drug shortages, method controversies, state patterns
• [20:46 – 22:04] – Executive orders and federal influence on capital punishment resurgence
• [22:28 – 23:41] – Closing reflections on ethics, expense, public opinion, and U.S. exceptionalism

---

Tone & Style

The hosts maintain a direct, informed, and sometimes incredulous tone throughout, blending factual reporting with personal observations and moral consideration. They refrain from sensationalism, focusing on the gravity, controversy, and implications of current events around the death penalty in America.

---

This summary encapsulates all vital topics and moments from the episode, serving as a concise yet comprehensive guide for anyone seeking to understand its content and the ongoing national conversation on capital punishment.

Transcript

[Lauren LaRosa]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Johnny Knoxville]

Johnny Knoxville here. Check out Crimeless Hillbilly Heist, my new true crime podcast from smartless media, campside media and big money players. It's the true story of the almost perfect crime and the nimrods who almost pulled it off. It was kind of like the perfect.

[TJ Holmes]

Storm in a sewer.

[Amy Robach]

That was dumb. Do not follow my example.

[Johnny Knoxville]

Listen to Crimeless Hillbilly Heist on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you your podcast.

[Narrator for Hell in Heaven]

Two rich young Americans move to the Costa Rican jungle to start over, but one of them will end up dead and the other tried for murder three times. It starts with a dream, a nature reserve and a spectacular new home. But little by little, they lose it.

[Lauren LaRosa]

They actually lose it.

[Narrator for Hell in Heaven]

They sort of went nuts until one night, everything spins out of control. Listen to hell in Heaven on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Sa mi gente. It's Ana Ortiz and I'm Mark and Delicato. You might know us as Hilda and Justin from Ugly Betty. Welcome to our new podcast, be My baddie.

[TJ Holmes]

Yay.

[Lauren LaRosa]

We're rewatching the series from start to finish and getting into all the fashions, the drama and the behind the scenes moments that you've never heard before. But you were still bartending. I didn't know that. The bar pack is like, is that you and I turn runner and it's a commercial for Betty and I was.

[TJ Holmes]

Like, I gotta go.

[Lauren LaRosa]

I quit. Listen to Viva Betty on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Stephanie Beatriz and Melissa Fumero]

Hey, guys, it's Stephanie, Beatriz and Melissa Fumero. And this is more better. We are jumping right in and ready to hear from you, your thoughts, your questions, your feelings about socks with sandals. And we're ready to share some possibly questionable advice and hot takes.

[Amy Robach]

God, that sucks so hard though.

[Stephanie Beatriz and Melissa Fumero]

I'm so sorry. Can you out pet? Can you match their pettiness for funsies? Yeah, all the things. Because aren't we all trying to get a little more better? Listen to more better on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Lauren LaRosa]

I'm the homegirl that knows a little bit about everything and Everybody knows Lauren LaRosa.

[TJ Holmes]

You hear that exclusive?

[Amy Robach]

Lauren came in hot.

[Lauren LaRosa]

I came in telling the truth. Every day I'm bringing you the latest in entertainment, breaking down the headlines you can't stop talking about and giving you my very unfiltered take on the biggest stories in the exclusive news. And y' all know I got it to us breaking down the interviews because y' all are my co hosts now, I'm giving you the deep dives on some of the biggest moments in pop culture. Oh, my God. Listen to the Latest with Lauren LaRosa weekdays on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast.

[TJ Holmes]

Hey there, folks. It is Tuesday, October 14th. Tonight. Two inmates have been executed, making the 36th and 37th to be executed in the United States this year. And one of them maintained his innocence till the end. Welcome to this episode of Amy and TJ where we robes. We've been covering this for several weeks, you could say months now, where the United States seems to be on a bit of a tear, you could argue. But an uptick in the number of executions, six were scheduled over an eight day stretch. Two of them tonight.

[Amy Robach]

That's pretty remarkable. And this has been a, a record setting year for Florida, I believe. Previously the largest number of executions in one year was eight. We're already up to number 14 with more scheduled. That is remarkable.

[TJ Holmes]

We're used to Texas, I guess, leading the way. You don't even have to look at statistics. And folks just understand that Texas usually leads the way, but Florida is way out ahead this year. Now what happened tonight? There was one execution in Missouri. Another one was in Florida. I'll start just the latest on Lance Shockley. He is the one convicted killer out of Missouri convicted of murdering a state trooper. He was denied clemency by the governor on Monday. Courts have turned down all of his pleas to have new evidence. We'll get into that in a second. But he was turned down at every turn. And then finally the execution was at 6:00 clock local time at a correctional facility in Bonne Terre, Missouri.

[Amy Robach]

That's right. And it was on Monday that the Missouri governor announced his decision to reject Shockley's plea to stay the execution because he was trying to buy some time or his lawyers were saying that they wanted DNA testing to take place on, I believe, six key pieces of evidence. It wasn't available at the time of his trial. And so they wanted to be able to wait and see. They had a plea in a lower court or a file in a lower court that they were waiting a ruling on. They wanted to stay the execution, to be able to see if they could do some DNA testing to potentially exonerate their client. That, of course, was denied. And so the execution went forward as planned.

[TJ Holmes]

Oh, the other one that took place tonight was down in Florida Samuel L. Excuse me. Samuel Lee Smithers. Samuel Lee Smithers is the name 72 year old man convicted of killing two young women. Although his appeals rejected as well. His attorneys had tried to make an argument that this was cruel and unusual even to be executing a 72 year old man. But all those appeals failed. He was executed 6 o' clock Eastern tonight at a correctional facility near Stark, Florida. So these two cases, we did get some details I should mention at least about Smithers of what his day looked like. Said he got up at 6:30 this morning. The correctional facility reported that he was. He remained a compliant inmate throughout the day. But he had no visitors today, no family, no nothing. Also no spiritual advisor that came by. But we got word at least what his final meal this is. I don't know if there's some just morbid curiosity here, but it's always fascinating to hear what folks order for their last meal.

[Amy Robach]

I was just gonn say the same thing. I don't know why we always care but we always report on it and for whatever reason I'm always interested in hearing what it was. But Smithers last meal was fried chicken, fried fish along with apple pie and ice cream. And so he kept it simple but yeah, spent the day alone by himself.

[TJ Holmes]

On what was turned out to be his final day here on October 14th. Now these two executions tonight, there's actually another one scheduled tomorrow I believe in Mississippi and then there's one on Friday in Arizona. So two more to go this week. Want to go back to Shockley? Shockley is the one who Rose maintained his innocence throughout the details though this 2005 crime he's not just accused of, but he's been convicted of. Some of these details are pretty heinous.

[Amy Robach]

That's right. So a jury by the way, did unanimously convict Shockley for the death of Missouri State Highway Patrol Sergeant Carl Graham. And the jury convicted Shockley of actually stalking this sergeant, actually waiting for him at his home for hours for him to show up. And they say the motive behind his decision to murder the state trooper was that he was investigating, he was investigating a case of manslaughter. So he was investigating Shockley for manslaughter. And in order, according to the evidence presented at trial, he was, he killed the state trooper to try and basically stop the investigation into manslaughter.

[TJ Holmes]

Yeah, but the way they say he went about this, at least these details, he was at the house waiting for hours at this man's house. This wasn't some spur of the moment thing as far as These details that came out or a fit of rage. They say he stalked. He sat there for hours waiting on him to come home, and when he got out of his vehicle, shot him in the back. The guy's down, he goes and shoots him in the head. Now, these are the details that came out, and this is the guy who claims he's innocent. And you could see, given the details really, of this crime, and when it's involving a state trooper, it's involving a law enforcement officer, a governor is not going to. You better be damn sure with your evidence, or there's not going to be a lot of tolerance for that.

[Amy Robach]

His attorneys say, however, that the prosecution's timeline didn't work out, that there was no actual forensic evidence tying Shockley to the case. There was no eyewitness accounts tying him to the case. However, some of the details in court were the vehicle he was driving. I believe he had borrowed his grandmother's vehicle. Some of the shell casings, they say, matched at his uncle's house. So there was some actual physical evidence tying him to the crime. But his attorneys, again, were asking for some DNA testing to take place. Just trying to at least have some sort of time or some window of time to try and get that evidence or at least that evidence looked at.

[TJ Holmes]

And they. Yes, you could argue. Of course you should. You want to be sure they were throwing everything at the wall, see if anything would stick here at this kind of late hour. Look, we covered another case recently where there was a lot of doubt and a lot of people were pleading to spare a man's life for different reasons. And other cases, even down in Texas, Roberson. Right. There's a stay of execution there because of evidence. And there's. Right. People making an argument for innocence. This isn't one of those cases that.

[Amy Robach]

Has not been anything. They just want an opportunity to try and look at some new possible evidence. But, yeah, there was nothing that was significant in any way, shape or form. Something that was interesting, though, about this case. Even though the jury unanimously convicted Shockley in the murder, in Graham's murder, they were not unanimous in their decision to sentence him to death. So they were actually split between life in prison or the death penalty. And this is when the judge stepped in and made the decision and sentenced him to death. And you asked, actually, wait, there aren't many states where that's actually legal. And you're right, just two states. The state of Missouri and the state of Indiana are the only two states in this country where a judge can impose a death sentence. When the jury is split on the decision. I didn't know that was even possible at all.

[TJ Holmes]

And Shockley just happened to be in one of those states where a judge is allowed to do that, and a judge did, in fact, do so also. The back down to Florida, Smithers, the crime down there, this is pretty horrific. A double murder. What were the ages of these young women? I can't. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to put you on the spot there. But young women that this guy brutally murdered and dumped their bodies, almost discarded them like trash in a. In a pond down in Florida. Now, this is not a case where he's hooting and hollering about innocence necessarily in this one, but this was a case, I guess, goes back to 1995, 96.

[Amy Robach]

So this was actually really disturbing when you start to read what reportedly took place and what he was convicted of, but that the property owner where he was staying actually found him cleaning up a bloodied X. And he said that there had been some animals in the area, but she certainly was very suspicious. And when police came to investigate, that's when they found drag marks where he had dragged the bodies of these two young girls and left. He said that they said that they were beaten, strangled, and left in the pond to die. So that is just a horrific, horrific scene, but a double homicide. And when you look and you hear just the details of this crime, it is. It is fairly sickening, to say the very least.

[TJ Holmes]

And again, they tried all options here as well. They tried as much as they could and tried every legal option they had, but exhausted all appeals. So, again, Smithers also executed for his crimes. Now, we said this is a 36th and 37th executions in the country so far this year. That is the most we've seen in this country since 2014, I believe. Now, that sounds like a lot Rome, but historically, you go back to 90s, and around that time, we're regularly doing 40, 50, 61 year. Even had 98. Really, I didn't even, I think, in 1999. So it seems like this is a. An uptick here in recent years, But I guess, historically speaking, we're not necessarily knocking on the door. Some of those bigger numbers.

[Amy Robach]

We're going back to where we used to be, and maybe it seems like making up for lost time.

[TJ Holmes]

Oh, wow. And there might be something to that, folks. Yes. This isn't just an accident or a fluke thing that's happening right now. There are reasons why there has been an uptick in the number of executions this year. We will explain why when we come back. And yes, it has something to do with with Trump putting his signature on a proclamation.

[Narrator for Hell in Heaven]

In the new podcast Hell in Heaven. Two young Americans move to the Costa Rican jungle to start over. But one will end up dead, the other tried for murder not once. People went wild, not twice, stunned, but three times. John and Anne Bender are rich and attractive and they're devoted to each other. They create a nature reserve and build a spectacular circular home high on the top of a hill. But little by little, their dream starts to crumble and our couple retreat from reality.

[Lauren LaRosa]

They lose it. They actually lose it.

[Narrator for Hell in Heaven]

They sort of went nuts until one night, everything spins out of control. Listen to Hell in Heaven on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[TJ Holmes]

All right, folks, welcome back. We continue now on this evening of October 14th in which two more inmates, death row inmates were executed this evening, one in Missouri, one in Florida. The one in Florida, a twice a double convicted murderer, the other convicted of killing a law enforcement officer in the state of Missouri. Now robes. It seems like we have been doing an awful lot of stories lately about executions. And yes, there have been more this year than in previous years. Six were scheduled in an eight day stretch here in the U.S. we're kind of right in the middle of that. Six scheduled. One of them, at least we know there was a stay, the one in Texas.

[Amy Robach]

Texas. Robert Roberson. So he had been convicted all those years ago for the murder of his two year old daughter Nikki with shaken baby syndrome. Science, which is now considered junk science. There have been dozens of of exonerations now that we know more about how infants can die in ways other than and that could mimic abuse. And so yes, because of those factors, he has finally received, after several efforts over the last 10 years by his lawyers, he has received a stay of execution so that he can present new evidence in his case and we'll see where it goes from there. But he was supposed to be executed.

[TJ Holmes]

On the 16th in two days. Yes. So that would have been. Wow. We would have had executions Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday of this week in the United States. So yes, there's one scheduled for tomorrow on Wednesday night. Right. And then another scheduled on Friday in Arizona. But the, the numbers we're talking about, you go back to 2014, there were 35 executions in the country. But after that, leading up to this year, 2015, there were 28. Then after that, 20, 23, 25, 22, 17, 11, 18, those were pandemic years Right. So those were down then. And then 24 executions, then 25 last year, and now here we are at 35. And what, what is the number? I think somewhere around 10 are still scheduled. Maybe eight or nine still scheduled for the rest.

[Amy Robach]

Correct.

[TJ Holmes]

Of this year. So that number is going to go up. So why is it happening? I mean, part of this is, I don't want to say a backlog, but there was a stretch in which there was a difficult time in some of these states in getting the drugs they needed.

[Amy Robach]

Correct.

[TJ Holmes]

To actually carry out execution.

[Amy Robach]

And there were a lot of concerns about cruel and unusual punishment. There were reports of seeing people physically appear to be, or sound as if they were in pain while they were being administered these lethal injections. So much so that a lot of prisoners, upon hearing reports of that on death row, switched many times. They can choose how they want to die. They were choosing, and they have chosen things like a firing squad or nitrogen gas because they're so afraid of or concerned about the reports surrounding lethal injections.

[TJ Holmes]

And then we get reports of one of the firing squad things not working exactly right. They missed the target.

[Amy Robach]

Correct.

[TJ Holmes]

And then something with the nitrogen, the gas that was, I don't know what was the report. And there was something about that one as well. There's always something.

[Amy Robach]

There's always something and there is human error. I mean, Florida now is putting out exactly how it's carrying out its lethal injection. They say they have a three drug injection protocol. They use a sedative, a paralytic, and then the drug that stops the heart. That's according to the Department of Corrections. But they're trying to be transparent about how they go about it, the order in which they use the drugs. Certainly I witnessed an execution. I was 23. So what was that? Almost 30 years ago in South Carolina. And the man I saw die certainly appeared to be extremely uncomfortable to the point where it was very difficult to witness and watch. So I. That was right around the time of those reports. And so, yeah, we saw some states put a moratorium. Some states just try to figure out what the correct drug protocol is. And then, yeah, people couldn't get their hands, actual states couldn't get their hands on the correct drugs because people, certain drug companies were stopping, disseminating them in protest.

[TJ Holmes]

You, you pointed out just now, you brought up a fascinating contradiction in a country where we have the death penalty, but we want to kill you as comfortably as possible. Like we constitutionally, we can kill you, but it's. We violate your constitutional rights. If you are Uncomfortable when we do so.

[Amy Robach]

Right.

[TJ Holmes]

What a country. I mean, that's just fascinating to think. I didn't think about the way you put it. We're fighting and fighting and fighting to make sure we kill people, but we heal humanely. Yeah.

[Amy Robach]

Yes. Without pain. I don't know if it's possible, though. I mean, that's the thing. I do believe there is an attempt to do that.

[TJ Holmes]

Yeah.

[Amy Robach]

And to do so. But it still seems like it's an extremely difficult thing to accomplish.

[TJ Holmes]

So. Yes. So that has helped, I guess, contribute to, I guess, a bit of an uptick. The other thing. Yes. Several states are kind of driving this, and I think everybody knows them pretty much. Four states of the 35 executions. If people are listening right now, which four states do you think you could probably name them? Before we even answer the question?

[Amy Robach]

I think that three of them are very obvious. The last one might be a little bit. You could go between a few different states.

[TJ Holmes]

South Carolina.

[Amy Robach]

So I would have known South Carolina just because I reported and lived there, and that's where I witnessed my execution. They were known to be very tough on the death penalty. So, Yes, I think everyone would say Texas and Florida. South Carolina. I wouldn't have necessarily gone with Alabama. I would have thought it could have been Georgia, Louisiana, another southern state. But I wouldn't have known Alabama.

[TJ Holmes]

Yeah. That map is fascinating. They have those maps of where the death penalty and is happening. All the Southern states are lit up northeast. Nothing like, what is it? Only 20. I'm not gonna get my numbers right. But it's 27 and 23.

[Amy Robach]

27 states have the death penalty. 23 states do not.

[TJ Holmes]

Yes.

[Amy Robach]

So we're. I mean, that's a pretty big divide.

[TJ Holmes]

Yeah. And even in some of the states that do have the death penalty, some of the governors sometimes put a moratorium on it, and it's not being used, even though it's on the books. And. But yeah, the other thing that contributed. I be honest with you, I don't remember. He had so many executive orders.

[Amy Robach]

It was hard to keep track.

[TJ Holmes]

The president, but this was one he signed right after getting into office. And I guess the title explains it.

[Amy Robach]

Yes. Signed January 20, 2025. So that would be the day he was sworn into office. It's called Restoring the death penalty and Protecting public safety.

[TJ Holmes]

Yeah. So there's a lot in there. But he's essentially directing the Department of Justice to enforce. To go after. And every chance they can the death penalty. Also directed them to support states in whatever way they can, including making sure. Drugs are available for execution.

[Amy Robach]

Well, and it's interesting when you see him in this executive order pushing the capital punishment, they say he said that he wants the Attorney General to pursue federal jurisdiction and seek the death penalty regardless of other factors. For every federal capital crime involving, number one, the murder of a law enforcement officer, number two, a capital crime committed by, and these are their words, an illegal. An alien illegally present in this country. Wow, I didn't realize that. Did you see that? And then just kept giving example after example. But those two stood out as to when and how and where the Attorney General should seek the death penalty.

[TJ Holmes]

Yeah, so this was. Some people took this and ran with it. Some people got the message. And maybe the Justice Department is being more helpful in helping states get. Get execution dates planned and making sure they have the drugs they need. So there are things that are attributing to this. But. But here we are, two more inmates executed on this night, and the week is not out. There are a couple more still scheduled.

[Amy Robach]

Yeah, there's an execution scheduled in Mississippi tomorrow and one in Arizona on Friday. And certainly we will continue to monitor this. I mean, this is a. It's a historic year, and not in the way that I think a lot of folks feel great about. Some people might say it's about time. Others might feel really sickened by where we are. Again, I think we've said this before, but we are the only western civilized country that's still has legal executions, and yet our crime rates are among the highest in those same Western civilized countries. So the deterrent factor of it is really up for grabs. And there's the moral debate, obviously, and there is a financial debate as well. It is significantly more expensive to execute a prisoner than to maintain them for life in prison.

[TJ Holmes]

I don't know if it's getting more attention. I actually don't know if people are having more conversations about the death penalty. So many more serious things, or, excuse me, pressing things, I should say in people's lives. But maybe they are more of these conversations going on about who we are, man. We are. We are something. This year with these executions. It seems bizarre that we are just.

[Amy Robach]

Routinely killing folks, but that's the United States of America right now in 2025.

[TJ Holmes]

All right, well, folks, we appreciate you. Just wanted to hop on on this evening, so hope you're having a good one. We always appreciate you listening to us. I'm TJ Holmes on behalf of my dear Amy Robach. We'll talk to you all soon.

[Johnny Knoxville]

Johnny Knoxville here. Check out crimeless Hillbilly Heist. My new true crime podcast from Smartless Media, Campside Media and big money players. It's the true story of the almost perfect crime and the nimrods who almost pulled it off. It was kind of like the perfect.

[TJ Holmes]

Storm in a sewer. That was dumb.

[Amy Robach]

Do not follow my example.

[Johnny Knoxville]

Listen to Crimeless Hillbilly Heist on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Narrator for Hell in Heaven]

Two rich young Americans move to the Costa Rican jungle to start over. But one of them will end up dead and the other tried for murder three times. It starts with a dream, a nature reserve and a spectacular new home. But little by little, they lose it.

[Lauren LaRosa]

They actually lose it.

[Narrator for Hell in Heaven]

They sort of went nuts until one night, everything spins out of control. Listen to hell in Heaven on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Lauren LaRosa]

It's Ana Ortiz and I'm Mark and Delicato. You might know us as Hilda and Justin from Ugly Betty. Welcome to our new PODC Betty. We're rewatching the series from start to finish and getting into all the fashions, the drama and the behind the scenes moments that you've never heard before. But you were still bartending. I didn't know that. The bar back is like, is that you and I turn around and it's a commercial for Betty. And I was like, I gotta go. I quit. Listen to Viva Betty on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Stephanie Beatriz and Melissa Fumero]

Hey, guys, it's Stephanie, Beatriz and Melissa Fumaro. And this is more better. We are jumping right in and ready to hear from you, your thoughts, your questions, your feelings about socks with sandals. And we're ready to share some possibly questionable advice. And hot takes.

[Amy Robach]

God sucks so hard though.

[Stephanie Beatriz and Melissa Fumero]

I'm so sorry. Can you out petty them? Can you match their pettiness for funsies? Yeah, all the things. Because aren't we all trying to get a little more better? Listen to more better on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Lauren LaRosa]

I'm the homegirl that knows a little bit about everything and everybody.

[Johnny Knoxville]

Lauren LaRosa.

[TJ Holmes]

You hear that? Exclusive.

[Amy Robach]

Lauren came in hot.

[Lauren LaRosa]

I came in telling the truth. Every day I'm bringing you the latest in entertainment. Breaking down the headlines you can't stop talking about. And giving you my very unfiltered take on the biggest stories in the industry from exclusive news. And y' all know I got it to us breaking down the interviews. Cause y' all are my co hosts. Now I'm giving you the deep dives on some of the biggest moments in pop culture. Oh, my God. Listen to the Latest with Lauren LaRosa, weekdays on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. This is an iHeart podcast.