Posted on 10/30/2025 9:20:41 PM PDT by Red Badger
In a major milestone for the Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) administration, the state of Florida has carried out its 15th execution of 2025, a record under Gov. Ron DeSantis that shows the state’s renewed vigor in dealing with the worst sorts of crimes, such as those committed by the individual who was put to death in this case.
That individual was Norman Mearle Grim Jr., a 65-year-old who was convicted of the 1998 sexual assault and slaying of his neighbor, Cynthia Campbell. According to media reports of the execution, Grim was pronounced dead at 6:14 pm on Tuesday, October 28, after receiving a lethal injection composed of three different drugs.
There were, apparently, no complications with the lethal injection. The three-drug cocktail used by Florida consists of a sedative, a paralytic agent, and a drug that stops the heart, thus theoretically leading to the death of the inmate without pain or undue drama, thus satisfying the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on inflicting “cruel and unusual punishments”.
Unlike many prisoners on death row, Grim did not have a final statement or last words of note. According to spokesperson Alex Lanfranconi, Grim was asked by prison officials if he had a final statement before he received the three-drug lethal injection, but simply replied, “No sir.” He was then executed, and soon pronounced dead.
Grim’s last meal before death, according to a statement given to the media by the Department of Corrections, was a meal of fried pork chops and mashed potatoes with a chocolate milkshake. He ate his meal after waking up at 6:00 in the morning on Tuesday.
Grim’s execution in the Florida State Prison near the town of Starke occurred after he waived his right to request one last appeal before either the United States Supreme Court or the Florida Supreme Court earlier in October. With that waiving of the appellate process for his conviction, Grim entered the final stages of the path to execution for the 1998 crime.
Ever since the United States Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976, Florida has been one of the leading states in annual executions. This year, for example, it is the leader by a wide margin, with Grim’s death marking its 15th, and the two closest followers, Texas and Alabama, following it with five each. Its prior record for yearly executions was eight, which it set in 2014.
While Florida is already the record-setter and leader by a large margin, it has more executions planned for this year. On November 13, the state is slated to execute Bryan Fredrick Jennings, a 66-year-old who is accused of horrific crimes against a 6-year-old girl in 1979, including her slaying. That will be the state’s 16th execution for the year.
Then, on November 20, the state is slated to carry out its 17th execution of the year. As currently scheduled, that will be the execution of 63-year-old Richard Barry Randolph, who has been convicted of the sexual assault and murder of his former manager at a convenience store.
Governor DeSantis has been a firm proponent of the death penalty. For example, in the wake of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the governor called for the execution of Charlie’s killer. Watch him here:
Video at link.......................
thanks again Gov. Ron. good job.
Well said.
Hopefully fewer wishy washy weaklings are around to care about the details of the killer’s last meal.
There are never reports of the murdered loved ones’ last happy and laughing time with their spouse or family and friends. A dinner together, a day at the beach with their dog running back and forth, a last hug no one knew would be the final one. Then death.
We need the death penalty actively in all 50 states with reduced time allowed to prisoners sitting around watching TV and shooting hoops until the execution. Most 10-15 years but some are much longer.
Carey Dean Moore, who spent 38 years on death row in Nebraska before his execution in August 2018.
Brandon Jones, who was executed in Georgia in 2016 after serving approximately 36 years and four months between his first conviction and execution.
Next.
The murderers need to know that their crimes may affect whether they live until the end of THAT YEAR.
Unless and until that happens with "speedy trials" (sic) and executions, there is no collective deterrent effect to murder.
PS Sexual assault ought to be a capital crime, as it once was.
I agree it takes entirely to long to carry out executions where the person has been found guilty and sentenced to death.
However, if you execute them with the speed Florida is currently doing it, those who are death row right now realize their days are numbered and no matter how long it’s been since they were convicted, it has to rattle them.
I just want the sentences to be carried out, the one advantage of waiting is it leaves no doubt of their guilt, if a truly innocent person were to ever be convicted of murder, sentenced to death and then executed, it would end executions forever or certainly for a very long time.
Uh - this guy raped and murdered his neighbor in 1998. This wasn’t enough time for you?
I agree with you 100%, but if one truly innocent person were to ever be executed it would end the death penalty for years and maybe forever.
For the long-term benefit of society, it is better to allow appeals take a number of years and to make 100% sure to execute those who are truly guilty.
Execution should be carried out for murder, but also rape.
It should also be the automatic punishment for any politician that embezzles or steals more than $20000 while in office. Yes, this would likely mean executing nearly ALL politicians. /spit
Yet while there is breath in their bodies, may the murderers (and all) come to repentance and faith in the present savior and future judge of mankind, the risen Lord Jesus, who gave Himself for us, that we may spiritually live thru Him, Thanks be to God.
Just taking out the trash!
Being reverse/stayed on a BS technicality over paperwork etc... does not negate their guilt in my book.
Executions should be carried out within hours or minutes of sentencing.
In America:
Kidnapping used to be a capitol offense.
Counterfeiting used to be a capitol offense.
Horse thieving used to be a capitol offense.
Cattle rustling used to be a capitol offense.
In the UK:
All of the above, plus:
Shoplifting and petit theft used to be a capitol offense, before 1832.
Sheep rustling used to be a capitol offense (except in Wales.........😁)
Many or most of these cases are very clear and should be rapidly carried out. I am not at all squeamish and would carry them out myself if necessary (27 years in the Marines).
GREAT. Death Penalty? Justice. It’s unfortunate that justice could not be delivered at the time of the attack on the innocent victim.
If we really believe in the death penalty, then we can’t afford ONE mistake, otherwise it will get shutdown.
It’s extremely rare for death penalty cases to get reversed on a technicality, even when it is, it’s even more rare for the person to walk free.
Florida has executed 15 people this year, with more on the way, no appeals court has shut it down, the reason we don’t have more executions is because of the states, why isn’t Texas executing more people...
No question when the guilt of the person is obvious it would be nice to have a short appeal and then execute the person, as I’ve said people who support the death penalty cannot afford ONE mistake otherwise it will be shutdown.
In a lot of cases, it’s not the courts that is causing the delay, Florida just executed the 15th person this year, with more on the schedule, ask yourself, if Florida can do it, why can’t other states, it’s not the courts it’s the States and Governors that are not stepping up and signing death warrants.
Start with the ones that have been on death row the longest and 1 by 1 execute them, start clearing the backlog of murderers who have long since exhausted their appeals.
When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, people’s hearts are filled with schemes to do wrong. Ecclesiastes 8:11
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.