Florida Executes Man for 1997 Double Murder Witnessed by Toddler

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James Dennis Ford was executed by lethal injection in Florida on February 13, 2025, for the 1997 murders of Gregory and Kimberly Malnory. The execution marked Florida's first in 2025 and followed a lengthy legal process, including multiple unsuccessful appeals. Ford, 64, was convicted after attacking the couple during a fishing trip at a sod farm. Witnesses were present during the execution, where Ford did not make a final statement. The couple's 22-month-old daughter was present during the attack and has spoken publicly about her memory of her parents primarily through photos and others' memories. The Florida Supreme Court rejected claims by Ford's defense regarding his mental capacity, affirming his death sentence was valid. The case drew attention due to the nature of the crime, including the brutal methods used in the killings, raising public and legal scrutiny over capital punishment in Florida. Ford's execution follows a trend of decreasing executions in the state, with only one person executed in 2024.

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