A 65-year-old man from Florida, Norman Mearle Grim Jr., is scheduled for execution on a Tuesday evening. This lethal injection is set to take place at the Florida State Prison in Starke, commencing at 6 p.m. Grim was convicted of raping and murdering his neighbor, Cynthia Campbell, in 1998. His execution will mark Florida’s 15th execution in 2025.
Background of the Case
Cynthia Campbell was reported missing in 1998. Her remains were discovered off the Pensacola Bay Bridge. Investigators noted multiple blunt-force injuries on her face and head, indicative of being struck by a hammer, along with 11 stab wounds in her chest. An autopsy confirmed that seven of these wounds had penetrated her heart.
Conviction and Sentencing
The DNA evidence linked Grim to the crime, leading to his conviction in December 2000. He was subsequently sentenced to death. After the signing of a death warrant, inmates typically have the opportunity to appeal to both the Florida Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court. However, Grim waived these appeals during a recent hearing.
Florida’s Execution Statistics
- In 2025, Florida has set a record with 15 executions planned.
- Florida has executed more individuals than any other state this year.
- Texas and Alabama follow with five executions each.
Future Executions
Upcoming death sentences in Florida include:
- Bryan Fredrick Jennings, 66, set for execution on November 13, 2025, for the murder of a 6-year-old girl in 1979.
- Richard Barry Randolph, 63, penalized for the 1988 rape and fatal beating of his former manager, scheduled for execution on November 20, 2025.
Method of Execution
Florida administers lethal injections using a combination of three drugs: a sedative, a paralytic agent, and a medication that induces cardiac arrest. This execution process has raised various discussions about its implications and humanity within the justice system.
The recent rise in executions across the U.S. follows decades of decline, prompting renewed debate regarding capital punishment. As such discussions continue, the case of Norman Mearle Grim Jr. stands as a pivotal instance within Florida’s capital punishment realm.
