A Florida man convicted of sexually assaulting and killing his neighbour more than two decades ago was executed on Tuesday evening, marking the state’s 15th execution this year — the highest annual total in Florida’s history.
Norman Mearle Grim Jr., aged 65, was pronounced dead at 6:15 p.m. following a three-drug lethal injection at Florida State Prison near Starke, according to the office of Governor Ron DeSantis.
Grim was convicted of sexual battery and first-degree murder in the 1998 death of Cynthia Campbell. She was reported missing in July that year, and her body was later discovered in the waters near the Pensacola Bay Bridge. Prosecutors said she suffered multiple blunt-force injuries to the face and head, consistent with being struck by a hammer, along with eleven stab wounds to the chest, seven of which penetrated her heart. DNA evidence tied Grim to the killing.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976, Florida’s previous record was eight executions in 2014. The state has carried out more executions than any other this year, followed by Texas and Alabama, each with five.
Officials confirmed that two additional executions are scheduled for next month under warrants signed by Governor DeSantis.
