TAMPA, Fla. — Maria DeLiberato, a veteran defense attorney advocating for death row inmates, has devoted nearly 20 years to defending individuals facing capital punishment, including those convicted of horrific crimes. Her work reflects a deep commitment to the belief that every life deserves a thorough examination of the judicial process.
Currently, DeLiberato represents six clients on death row, a role that deeply impacts her. Among her notable cases is that of Clemente Aguirre-Jarquin, a Honduran who endured 14 years in prison, with a decade spent on death row, before exoneration through new DNA evidence. “Clemente’s case underscores how shockingly wrong we can be,” she remarked, emphasizing the systemic bias against people of color within the death penalty framework.
Since relocating to Tampa from Miami in 2006, DeLiberato has experienced the challenges of defending clients who have been sentenced to death. Notably, she represented Larry Eugene Mann, who was executed for the kidnapping and murder of 10-year-old Elisa Nelson, and Jerry Correll, who committed a gruesome murder of four family members. Despite the difficult emotional toll, DeLiberato remains steadfast in her belief that the death penalty often reflects society’s desire for vengeance rather than justice.
Initially, she opposed capital punishment on ethical bases. However, her research into the criminal justice system’s failures reinforced her convictions and led her to find a voice against the rising trend in U.S. executions, which began spiking in 2025, with 26 carried out so far according to reports from advocacy groups.
Concerns around botched procedures have also fueled her advocacy. DeLiberato described Florida’s use of midazolam during executions as akin to “torturing people,” raising flags about similar drugs employed in capital punishment. When discussing alternative execution methods such as lethal gas or firing squads, she asserted that they merely constitute “premeditated murder and brutality.”
Describing her fight for abolition as “terrifying and frustrating,” DeLiberato pointed out the human tendency to empathize with victims’ families, making it challenging for society to question the morality of capital punishment. She highlighted practical obstacles, notably that lethal injection drugs are often procured through shadowy sources due to widespread pharmaceutical companies’ refusal to supply states for executions.
Reflecting on her experiences, DeLiberato shared a personal moment involving Mann, who wrote a final letter expressing gratitude for her efforts on his behalf. “Losing him was incredibly challenging… it was so sad and senseless,” she recalled, emphasizing that he urged her to “stay strong for everyone on death row.”
DeLiberato expressed the unique sadness that comes with losing a client, noting a distinct strain and grief that accompanies such losses compared to other attorneys. Her dedication to championing justice persists as she continues to fight what she characterizes as a flawed death penalty system.
Recent events have further highlighted the controversy surrounding executions. On August 5, Byron Black, 69, was executed in Tennessee, reportedly suffering during the process. Legal experts have noted this as the first case where an inmate was executed while an active defibrillator remained implanted, raising ethical questions regarding the potential risk of additional trauma during execution.
As Black succumbed to the lethal drugs, witnesses reported that he displayed visible distress, asserting, “It’s hurting so bad,” to a spiritual adviser moments before dying. This incident has contributed to the ongoing debate over the morality and humanity of the death penalty and execution methods being employed in the United States.
DeLiberato’s ongoing work serves as a powerful reminder of the complexities and challenges within the capital punishment debate, underscoring the need for continued discourse and scrutiny surrounding the justice system.
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