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Florida is preparing to execute Norman Mearle Grim Jr., a 65-year-old man convicted of murdering his neighbor in 1998, which will mark the fifteenth execution of the year in that state, an unprecedented number since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976 by the Supreme Court of the United States.
The execution is scheduled for October 28, according to the agency Associated Press (AP), and with this, Florida will far exceed its recent high mark of eight executions in 2014.
Florida leads the nation in the number of executions this year, with 12 as of September 17, a figure that already puts the state at the forefront of the country. Grim's execution will be the 15th, while there are two others scheduled beforehand: Victor Tony Jones on September 30, and Samuel Lee Smithers on October 14.
In total, 33 people have been executed in the United States in 2025, surpassing the 25 from last year and coming close to the record from 2014, when there were 35 executions nationwide. Alongside Florida, Alabama and Texas continue to enforce the death penalty vigorously, with recent executions in September.
The case that returns almost three decades later
Norman Mearle Grim Jr. was convicted in 2000 of the murder of Cynthia Campbell, his neighbor in Pensacola. The woman was reported missing and her body was found days later near a bay bridge.
According to the prosecutors, Campbell suffered blows with a hammer, eleven stab wounds to the chest —seven of which were fatal to the heart— and sexual assault. DNA evidence linked Grim directly to the crime.
Although the date is already set, appeals are expected in both the Florida Supreme Court and the Supreme Court of the United States, which could delay the execution.
The record figure in Florida reignites the debate over the death penalty in the U.S., a topic that divides society and has gained momentum in 2025 due to the accelerated pace of executions in the southern part of the country.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Death Penalty in Florida
What is the number of executions in Florida in 2025 and how does it compare to previous years?
Florida has carried out 15 executions in 2025, far surpassing the previous record of eight executions in a single year, set in 2014. This increase reflects a more aggressive policy toward the death penalty under Governor Ron DeSantis's administration.
Why is the case of Norman Mearle Grim Jr. significant in the context of the death penalty in Florida?
The case of Norman Mearle Grim Jr. is significant as it marks the fifteenth execution in Florida in 2025, a record year for the application of the death penalty. Grim was convicted for the brutal murder of his neighbor in 1998, and his execution scheduled for October 28 represents a milestone in the current state policy on capital punishment.
What methods of execution are being used in Florida and what controversies have arisen regarding them?
Florida uses lethal injection to execute those condemned, a method that has been the subject of controversy due to the risk of extreme suffering if not administered correctly. This practice has been criticized by human rights organizations and medical experts, who question its humanity and effectiveness.
How has Governor Ron DeSantis influenced death penalty policy in Florida?
Governor Ron DeSantis has signed multiple execution orders, reflecting an increasingly aggressive state policy towards the use of the death penalty. Under his administration, Florida has reached a record number of executions, which has fueled the debate over the legitimacy and morality of capital punishment in the state.
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