STARKE, Fla. (AP) — In an unprecedented move, Florida carried out its 15th execution of the year on Tuesday evening, putting Norman Mearle Grim Jr. to death for a crime committed decades ago involving the rape and murder of his neighbor.
Grim was declared dead at 6:14 p.m. after receiving a lethal injection at Florida State Prison located near Starke, as reported by a spokesperson for Republican Governor Ron DeSantis.
When asked for any final words before the execution began, Grim simply responded, “No sir,” according to Alex Lanfranconi, the governor’s spokesperson. Lanfranconi confirmed that the procedure proceeded without any issues.
The 65-year-old Grim had been found guilty of sexually assaulting and murdering Cynthia Campbell. Campbell was reported missing in July 1998, and her body, showing signs of brutal violence, was discovered by a fisherman in waters near the Pensacola Bay Bridge.
Prosecutors revealed that Campbell suffered severe blunt-force trauma to her face and head, likely from a hammer, in addition to 11 stab wounds to her chest. An autopsy disclosed that seven of these stab wounds pierced her heart. DNA evidence conclusively linked Grim to the murder.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976, the previous record for the most executions in Florida in a single year was eight, set in 2014. This year, Florida has outpaced all other states in executions, with Texas and Alabama each conducting five.
After a death warrant is signed and an execution date is set, inmates have a last chance to make appeals to the Florida Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court. But earlier this month, Grim waived any appeals.
On Tuesday, Grim awoke at 6 a.m. and later had a meal of fried pork chops and mashed potatoes with a chocolate milkshake, according to Department of Corrections spokesman Ted Veerman. The spokesman said Grim had no visitors and did not meet with a spiritual adviser as the execution hour loomed.
A total of 40 men have died by court-ordered execution so far this year in the U.S., and at least 18 other people are scheduled to be put to death during the remainder of 2025 and next year.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court restored the death penalty in 1976, the highest previous annual total of Florida executions was eight in 2014. Florida has executed more people than any other state this year, followed by Texas and Alabama with five each. Two more executions are planned for next month in Florida under death warrants signed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Two more executions are planned next month in Florida.
Bryan Fredrick Jennings, 66, is scheduled for the state’s 16th execution on Nov. 13. He was convicted of raping and killing a 6-year-old girl in 1979 after entering through a window and abducting her from her central Florida home.
Richard Barry Randolph, 63, is set for Florida’s 17th execution on Nov. 20. He was convicted of the 1988 rape and fatal beating of his former manager at a Florida convenience store.
Florida’s lethal injections are carried out with a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, according to the state Department of Corrections.
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