Fla. executes inmate convicted of murdering prison guard during botched 1987 escape attempt

STARKE, Fla. – A man who orchestrated a prison van ambush in 1987 in an attempt to free a prisoner has been executed.

William Van Poyck died at 7:24 p.m. Wednesday by injection at the Florida State Prison.

The 58-year-old was convicted of murdering prison guard Fred Griffis. His case garnered international attention because Van Poyck (POYK) published three books and maintained a blog while on death row.

Van Poyck and Frank Valdes ambushed a prison van outside a West Palm Beach doctor's office in a failed attempt to free James O'Brien. Prison guard Fred Griffis was fatally shot after he threw the van's keys into the bushes to foil the escape. Van Poyck and Valdes were captured following a car chase.