Florida Reaches Unprecedented Execution Count: 17th in 2025 – Urgent Breaking News
Florida has reached a somber milestone, executing Richard Barry Randolph late Thursday, marking the state’s 17th execution of 2025. This surpasses the previous annual record of eight executions set in 2014, signaling a dramatic shift in the state’s approach to capital punishment under Governor Ron DeSantis. This breaking news story is developing, and Archyde.com is committed to providing the latest updates and comprehensive coverage.
Details of the Execution and Randolph’s Crime
Richard Barry Randolph, 63, was declared dead at 6:12 PM local time at Florida State Prison after a 12-minute lethal injection procedure. The protocol involved a three-drug combination – a sedative, a paralytic, and a heart-stopping agent. Randolph remained silent throughout the process, showing only slight facial twitches and heavy breathing before becoming still. He offered no final words.
Randolph was convicted in 1989 for the brutal 1988 murder of Minnie Ruth McCollum, a convenience store manager in Palatka, Florida. Court records reveal a harrowing crime: Randolph attempted to rob the store where he previously worked, and when confronted by McCollum, he subjected her to a violent assault involving beating, strangulation, stabbing, and sexual assault. McCollum succumbed to her injuries six days after the attack, having initially been found alive by responding officers alerted by three women who witnessed Randolph fleeing the scene.
A Rising Tide of Executions: Florida Leads the Nation
With this latest execution, the United States has carried out 44 executions in 2025. Florida is significantly outpacing other states, with five executions also recorded in Alabama, South Carolina, and Texas. Governor DeSantis, who signed Randolph’s execution order, has authorized more executions in a single year than any Florida governor since the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976. He has publicly stated his intention to “do justice to the families of the victims who have waited decades.”
The McCollum family expressed their gratitude to Governor DeSantis through a statement relayed by Jordan Kirkland, a spokesperson for the Florida Department of Corrections. Kirkland indicated that three family members had been prepared to testify.
Legal Battles and Final Appeals
Randolph’s case was marked by years of legal appeals. Just last week, the Florida Supreme Court rejected his arguments concerning access to public records and the conduct of his legal counsel. The U.S. Supreme Court also denied his final appeal on Thursday morning, paving the way for the execution to proceed. These denials highlight the increasingly limited avenues for challenging death penalty convictions, a topic of ongoing debate within the legal community.
Looking Ahead: Florida’s Execution Schedule
Florida’s execution schedule extends into December, with two more procedures already planned. Mark Allen Geralds, 58, is scheduled to be executed on December 9th for a murder committed during a home invasion robbery. Frank Athen Walls, also 58, faces execution on December 18th after being convicted of a double homicide and confessing to three additional killings. This continued pace raises questions about the future of capital punishment in Florida and the potential for further increases in execution rates.
The increasing number of executions in Florida isn’t happening in a vacuum. It’s part of a broader national conversation about justice, retribution, and the role of the death penalty in the 21st century. Understanding the legal processes, the emotional toll on victims’ families, and the ethical considerations surrounding capital punishment is crucial for informed civic engagement. Archyde.com will continue to provide in-depth coverage of this evolving story and its implications.
Stay tuned to Archyde.com for the latest updates on this developing story and for comprehensive coverage of legal and social justice issues. We are dedicated to bringing you the news that matters, with accuracy, context, and a commitment to informed reporting.
