Florida Officials Seek Death Penalty After Biden Commutes Turnpike Killers' Sentences

Following the commutation of their federal death sentences by President Biden in December 2024, Florida prosecutors have reopened the case against Daniel Troya and Ricardo Sanchez Jr., seeking to pursue state-level death penalty charges for the 2006 execution-style murders of the Escobedo family along Florida's Turnpike. The murders involved the killing of Jose Luis Escobedo, his wife Yessica, and their two young sons, crimes described as among the most heinous in Florida's history and linked to drug trafficking operations. State Attorney Thomas Bakkedahl emphasized the commitment to ensuring the sentence reflects the gravity of the crimes, asserting that with the federal death penalty no longer applicable, justice must now be sought through the state judicial system. St. Lucie County Sheriff Richard Del Toro also expressed support for pursuing all legal avenues to deliver justice and acknowledged the lasting impact of the case on the community. A news conference was scheduled to detail the reopening and prosecutorial plans, highlighting the renewed legal efforts to hold Troya and Sanchez accountable. The move aligns with directions from the Trump administration to seek state-level capital charges following federal clemency actions.