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.
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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:
Featured image credit: Florida Department of Corrections