Florida Execution 2025: State Sets Record with 15th Death Sentence

A Florida inmate was executed Tuesday for the 1998 rape and murder of his neighbor. Norman Mearle Grim Jr., 65, received a lethal injection at Florida State Prison. His execution marks the 15th carried out by the state this year. This sets a new annual record for Florida.

Governor Ron DeSantis signed the death warrant earlier this month. Grim had waived his rights to any further appeals. The execution proceeded as scheduled at 6 p.m.

Details of the 1998 Murder Case

Norman Grim was convicted in December 2000 for killing Cynthia Campbell. Campbell was his next-door neighbor in Pensacola. She was reported missing in 1998.

A fisherman discovered her body off the Pensacola Bay Bridge. The autopsy revealed horrific injuries. According to Reuters, she suffered multiple blunt-force injuries to her head and face.

Prosecutors said the wounds were consistent with a hammer attack. Campbell also had eleven stab wounds in her chest. Seven of those stab wounds penetrated her heart. DNA evidence later tied Grim directly to the crime.

Florida’s Unprecedented Execution Pace

This execution extends Florida’s record for a single year. The state has now executed 15 people in 2025. The previous annual record was eight executions in 2014.

Florida leads the United States in executions this year. Texas and Alabama follow with five executions each nationwide. Two more Florida executions are already scheduled for November.

According to the Associated Press, 40 men have been executed in the U.S. so far this year. At least 18 other executions are scheduled through 2026. The high number reflects a national trend.

The state’s aggressive capital punishment schedule continues to draw significant attention and debate, solidifying Florida’s position at the forefront of the national conversation on the death penalty.

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Who was Norman Mearle Grim Jr.?

Norman Mearle Grim Jr. was a 65-year-old Florida inmate. He was convicted for the 1998 rape and murder of his neighbor, Cynthia Campbell. His execution occurred on October 28, 2025.

How many executions has Florida carried out in 2025?

Florida has carried out 15 executions in 2025. This is a new state record for the number of executions in a single calendar year. The previous record was eight executions in 2014.

What was the cause of death in this execution?

Death was by lethal injection. The Florida Department of Corrections uses a three-drug protocol. This includes a sedative, a paralytic, and a drug that stops the heart.

Are there more executions scheduled in Florida?

Yes, two more executions are scheduled for November 2025. Bryan Fredrick Jennings is set for November 13. Richard Barry Randolph is scheduled for November 20.

Why is the number of executions so high this year?

The increase follows the signing of multiple death warrants by Governor Ron DeSantis. The state has moved forward with executions after resolving past legal challenges to its lethal injection protocol.