On Death's Door: A Reporter Blog at the Schwab Execution

STARKE, FL -- Gretl Plessinger with the Florida Department of Corrections is keeping the media up to date on how all the proceedings will go with the first inmate execution in 18 months.

She tells us Mark Schwab, convicted of kidnapping, raping and murdering 11 year old Junny Rios Martinez in Brevard County in 1991, is set to be executed by lethal injection at 6 p.m.

Plessinger says Schwab requested for his last meal of 2 fried eggs, 4 strips of bacon, 2 sausage links, hash browns, buttered toast, and a quart of chocolate milk.

She says he's been calm and compliant today, and will visit with his mother and aunt until Noon.

He has also requested to meet with his religious advisor later this afternoon.

She says Schwab will be offered a final shower, and about a half hour before the execution, will be removed from his cell and placed on the gurney.

This execution will be different than the last one in Florida, with all 37 recommendations from the governor's commission put in place.

Changes include additional lighting and a consciousness check. The solution in the injection, however, remains the same.

No word yet on whether Schwab's attorney will attempt another appeal.

The media lot is filling up, but no protesters have arrived.

Plessinger says Schwab is still very calm, and has indicated he doesn't plan on making an announcement before his execution, which he is allowed to do.

He is meeting with his religious adviser now, and may remain with the advisor until a half hour before the execution.

Plessinger says they are in constant communication with the Department of Corrections legal team, as well as the attorney general's office and the governor's office. That line of communication will remain open throughout the execution.

Media witnesses, including a Florida Today reporter, will be escorted into the witness room at 5.

Protesters have finally arrived, about an hour before he's set to be executed. There are at least 2 dozen people either in support or in opposition to Schwab's death.

The Department of Corrections pronounced Mark Schwab dead at 6:13 pm, exactly 16 years after being sentenced to death for the murder of 11 year old Juni Rios-Martinez.

Juni's family spoke to media afterwards. It was emotional. His mother took a moment to hold back tears and gain strength to talk to dozens of news cameras and flashing lights.

She said after watching her son's murderer, Mark Schwab, die so peacefully, that we should all be so lucky when our time comes.

Schwab elected not to make a statement. We're told he closed his eyes before going unconsious and never opened them back up.

The Department of Corrections also says there were no problems administering the injections.

I will have a full wrap up of the day's events tonight at 11 on First Coast News.