{"id":46858,"date":"2026-08-15T15:30:42","date_gmt":"2026-08-15T10:30:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=46858"},"modified":"2026-08-15T15:30:42","modified_gmt":"2026-08-15T10:30:42","slug":"james-duckett-executed-for-rape-and-murder-of-girl-as-florida-cop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=46858","title":{"rendered":"James Duckett executed for rape and murder of girl as Florida cop"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div data-layout-index=\"4\" class=\"featured featured-video video-ct\" data-v-7b1896ea=\"\"><!----> <\/p>\n<div class=\"contain\" data-v-7b1896ea=\"\">  <!----> <\/p>\n<div class=\"info\" data-v-7b1896ea=\"\">\n<div class=\"caption\" data-v-7b1896ea=\"\">\n<h4 class=\"title\" data-v-7b1896ea=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/video\/6403219591112\" data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_us_article_main-content_featured-video_5_1\" data-v-7b1896ea=\"\">Florida man executed for girl\u2019s killing<\/a><\/h4>\n<p data-v-7b1896ea=\"\">James Duckett was executed for the 1987 rape and murder of 11-year-old Teresa McAbee. Investigators believe he also killed Jeanifer Weldon that same year. (Credit:\u00a0WTVT)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"beyondwords-wrapper\" data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"beyondwords-wrapper\">\n<p><span class=\"label-bg\">NEW<\/span>You can now listen to Fox News articles!\n  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"speakable\">After almost four decades, the execution of James Duckett brought closure for two families who believe they both lost young girls to the same killer.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"speakable\">The 68-year-old was executed by lethal injection July 28 for the <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_us_article_main-content_article-body_6_9366937\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/us\/crime\/sex-crimes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">rape and murder<\/a> of 11-year-old Teresa McAbee while on duty as a cop for the Mascotte Police Department.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">McAbee\u2019s family attended his execution at the Florida State Prison in Raiford.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">They were joined by family and friends of 14-year-old Jeanifer Weldon. Authorities believe she also was killed by Duckett four months after he murdered McAbee.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_us_article_main-content_article-body_6_9366938\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/us\/investigators-revisit-florida-serial-killer-case-search-resumes-possible-additional-victims\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>INVESTIGATORS REVISIT FLORIDA SERIAL KILLER CASE AS SEARCH RESUMES FOR POSSIBLE ADDITIONAL VICTIMS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<div data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/343\/192\/Duckett-Weldon-Split-Photo-2.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/686\/384\/Duckett-Weldon-Split-Photo-2.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/672\/378\/Duckett-Weldon-Split-Photo-2.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1344\/756\/Duckett-Weldon-Split-Photo-2.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/931\/523\/Duckett-Weldon-Split-Photo-2.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1862\/1046\/Duckett-Weldon-Split-Photo-2.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/720\/405\/Duckett-Weldon-Split-Photo-2.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1440\/810\/Duckett-Weldon-Split-Photo-2.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1200\/675\/Duckett-Weldon-Split-Photo-2.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" alt=\"Split photo of Jeanifer Weldon and James Duckett.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"caption\">\n<p><span>Investigators believe Jeanifer Weldon (L) was killed by James Duckett (R) in Fort Meade, Fla., in September 1987.<\/span> <span>(Polk County Sheriff\u2019s Office)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">But law enforcement officials stopped pursuing a conviction out of fear it would prolong his life, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said in a news conference.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">It had been decided that piecing together evidence on the case could &#8220;jam up&#8221; the process or &#8220;create more defense, or more arguments, or more excuses why he shouldn&#8217;t be executed,&#8221; Judd told reporters on July 30.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">So once Duckett was sentenced to die for McAbee\u2019s murder, authorities stopped pushing to secure a conviction for the killing of Weldon, Judd said.<\/p>\n<h2 data-layout-index=\"5\">Two lives lost<\/h2>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">McAbee went <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_us_article_main-content_article-body_6_9366939\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/topic\/missing-persons\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">missing<\/a> in May 1987. She was last seen with Duckett in his patrol car on an evening when he was the only officer working the streets.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">When her body was found, evidence showed she\u2019d been sexually assaulted, strangled and drowned, according to court records.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">A month later, Duckett was named a suspect and was fired from his job as a cop. Very strong fingerprint and DNA evidence linked Duckett to the case, Judd said.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_us_article_main-content_article-body_6_9366940\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/california-missing-persons-dna-law\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>NEW CALIFORNIA LAW EXPANDS DNA TOOLS FOR MISSING PERSONS INVESTIGATIONS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<div data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/343\/192\/Shoes-at-crime-scene-Photo-1.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/686\/384\/Shoes-at-crime-scene-Photo-1.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/672\/378\/Shoes-at-crime-scene-Photo-1.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1344\/756\/Shoes-at-crime-scene-Photo-1.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/931\/523\/Shoes-at-crime-scene-Photo-1.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1862\/1046\/Shoes-at-crime-scene-Photo-1.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/720\/405\/Shoes-at-crime-scene-Photo-1.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1440\/810\/Shoes-at-crime-scene-Photo-1.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1200\/675\/Shoes-at-crime-scene-Photo-1.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" alt=\"Shoe prints in the sand.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"caption\">\n<p><span>Authorities found Weldon\u2019s body in a wooded area behind the road where her shoes were found.<\/span> <span>(Polk County Sheriff\u2019s Office)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Then three months later, another girl went missing in Central Florida.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Weldon disappeared on Sept. 19, 1987, in Polk County, about an hour south of the town where Duckett had worked as a police officer.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">It was three days before her 15th birthday.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">She\u2019d spent the Saturday with friends on a trip to town to Tampa, where she\u2019d bought a fluffy kitten to add to the stuffed animal collection in her bedroom, Judd said.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Around 9 p.m., she left her friends to walk about two miles home, carrying her new stuffed kitten in a green plastic bag, Judd said. She never made it home.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">For &#8220;13 frantic days, we looked for Jeanifer to no avail,&#8221; Judd told reporters almost 39 years later. There were few leads, until a phosphate miner pulled over to investigate a pair of shoes he spotted on the side of the road in Fort Meade. It had been about two weeks since Weldon had disappeared.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">When he got out of his car, he was hit with the pungent smell of a decomposing body, Judd said.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Weldon\u2019s &#8220;skeletonized&#8221; remains were found behind tall grass and a berm in a wooded area away from the road, Judd said.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Duckett eventually became a suspect in that killing, too.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Investigators believed Duckett had used his old law enforcement uniform to convince Weldon he could provide a safe ride home.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Family members and investigators felt Weldon wouldn\u2019t have gotten in a car with Duckett without that reassurance and confidence that he was a police officer and someone she could trust, Judd said.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">She died by <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_us_article_main-content_article-body_6_9366941\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/us\/crime\/homicide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">strangulation<\/a>, he said.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Investigators suspect she was raped before her death.<\/p>\n<h2 data-layout-index=\"5\">A heartbreaking clue<\/h2>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">A month after Weldon\u2019s death, Duckett was arrested for the killing and sexual battery of McAbee.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">He quickly became a suspect in Weldon\u2019s killing, too. But the evidence wasn\u2019t as strong, and was more circumstantial, Judd said.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">The night Weldon disappeared, Duckett had left for work at his new mining job five hours early. He drove down the highway &#8220;exactly past where Jeanifer Weldon would have been walking home,&#8221; Judd said.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">He arrived at work sweaty and two hours late, saying that he\u2019d had car trouble. But investigators learned that his hands weren&#8217;t &#8220;greasy or nasty or dirty,&#8221; Judd said. The next day, Duckett brought home a gift for his children\u2014a stuffed kitten in a green plastic bag.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">It matched the one purchased by Weldon.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_us_article_main-content_article-body_6_9366942\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/us\/forensic-genealogy-unmasks-cold-case-suspect-strangler-sexual-predator-decades-later-officials\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>FORENSIC GENEALOGY UNMASKS COLD CASE SUSPECT AS STRANGLER, SEXUAL PREDATOR DECADES LATER: OFFICIALS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<div data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/343\/192\/Jeanifers-bedroom-Photo-1.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/686\/384\/Jeanifers-bedroom-Photo-1.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/672\/378\/Jeanifers-bedroom-Photo-1.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1344\/756\/Jeanifers-bedroom-Photo-1.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/931\/523\/Jeanifers-bedroom-Photo-1.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1862\/1046\/Jeanifers-bedroom-Photo-1.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/720\/405\/Jeanifers-bedroom-Photo-1.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1440\/810\/Jeanifers-bedroom-Photo-1.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1200\/675\/Jeanifers-bedroom-Photo-1.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" alt=\"Photo of the interior of Jeanifer's bedroom.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"caption\">\n<p><span>Weldon kept a collection of stuffed animals in her bedroom, and her last planned addition provided a clue for investigators looking for her killer.<\/span> <span>(Polk County Sheriff\u2019s Office)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">There also were &#8220;fingernail marks or scratches on his back,&#8221; Judd said. When his wife asked him about the marks, he told her, &#8220;I was climbing under a barbed wire fence at work,&#8221; Judd said. <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_us_article_main-content_article-body_6_9366943\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/us\/crime\/cold-case\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Polk County investigators<\/a> spent tens of thousands of hours working to pursue a conviction in the Weldon case, Judd said.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Then a few years ago, after Duckett was convicted of McAbee\u2019s murder and had received the death sentence, they questioned whether they should continue pursuing it, he said.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_us_article_main-content_article-body_6_9366944\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/FoxTrueCrime\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">They continued to &#8220;chip away&#8221; at finding DNA evidence, Judd said. And they hoped Duckett would confess during one of his interviews before his execution.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">He declined to talk.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Though he was never convicted of her killing, Duckett\u2019s execution still brought some sense of closure to Weldon\u2019s still-grieving family.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;I&#8217;m confident the right person was executed,&#8221; said Amy Weldon, Jeanifer Weldon\u2019s younger sister. &#8220;I don&#8217;t like how long it took, but I am confident 100% that the right person died.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_us_article_main-content_article-body_6_9366945\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/newsletters\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Judd was less satisfied with the execution of the former cop.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_us_article_main-content_article-body_6_9366946\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/true-crime\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>LIKE WHAT YOU&#8217;RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;The problem is we didn&#8217;t put him to death soon enough,&#8221; Judd said. &#8220;You know, it&#8217;s never too soon to kill a psychopathic, child predator \u2026 It&#8217;s never too soon.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_us_article_main-content_article-body_6_9366947\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/tips\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>SEND US A TIP<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">For 38 years, Duckett was given multiple appeals.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_us_article_main-content_article-body_6_9366948\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/tips#&amp;_intcmp=fnc_us_article_main-content_article-body_6_10\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>GOT A TIP?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;He just didn&#8217;t pay soon enough, but he did pay,&#8221; Judd said.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_us_article_main-content_article-body_6_9366949\" href=\"https:\/\/link.podtrac.com\/cjdr_fnd_article\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>LISTEN TO THE NEW &#8216;CRIME &amp; JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO&#8217; PODCAST<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Judd also suggested that controversial surveillance cameras on roadways might have prevented Weldon\u2019s death.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;Today, we may have found him before he ever got a chance to rape and murder her,&#8221; he said. &#8220;We would have found him within hours.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_us_article_main-content_article-body_6_9366950\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/newsletters\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Addressing the debate over the cameras, Judd railed, &#8220;Yet there&#8217;s some nut jobs that don&#8217;t think we should be able to look at a camera that&#8217;s on a public right of way, only looking at a tag and the color of a car.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a href=\"https:\/\/foxnews.onelink.me\/xLDS?pid=AppArticleLink&amp;af_dp=foxnewsaf%3A%2F%2F&amp;af_web_dp=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fapps-products\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;We&#8217;re going to find lost children, lost Alzheimer&#8217;s patients, warrant suspects, and we&#8217;re never going to invade your privacy to do it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p> <!----> <!----> <\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Florida man executed for girl\u2019s killing James Duckett was executed for the 1987 rape and murder of 11-year-old Teresa McAbee. Investigators believe he also killed Jeanifer Weldon that same year. (Credit:\u00a0WTVT) NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! After almost four decades, the execution of James Duckett brought closure for two families who believe&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":46859,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/James-Duckett-executed-Florida-killing.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-46858","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-hub"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46858","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=46858"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46858\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/46859"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=46858"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=46858"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=46858"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}