The state of Florida is poised to maintain its record-breaking execution pace, with convicted killer Norman Mearle Grim Jr., 65, scheduled to die on October 28.
Grim decided this week to waive all legal appeals, removing any court challenges and paving the way for Florida to reach 15 executions in 2025 — more than under any other governor since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. The previous record was eight executions in one year.
Inmate waives appeals for October execution
Grim’s decision is highly unusual. During an October 1 hearing in Santa Rosa County, he told the court he would not pursue any further legal action to delay his execution.
“Defendant indicated that his wish was to forego all warrant (legal) proceedings and allow execution to proceed,” Circuit Judge Clifton Drake wrote in his order.
When informed of his right to appeal, Grim simply replied, “No appeals.”
Typically, a death warrant—which Governor Ron DeSantis signed on September 26—initiates a series of legal appeals through state and federal courts, often reaching the U.S. Supreme Court. All 14 inmates executed earlier this year, including Samuel Lee Smithers, who was put to death hours after the Supreme Court denied his appeal, had pursued such challenges.
Grim’s waiver halted that process immediately. Although the Florida Supreme Court had already outlined a schedule for the proceedings, no appeals were filed. Judge Drake reviewed Grim’s mental state and found that he was alert, coherent, and not under the influence of any substances that could impair his judgment.
Grim was sentenced to death for the 1998 sexual assault and murder of Cynthia Chapman, an attorney and his neighbor in Northwest Florida. Chapman’s body was later found in Pensacola Bay.
Bryan Jennings execution scheduled amid record pace
Just two weeks after Grim’s scheduled execution, Bryan Fredrick Jennings, 66, is set to be executed on November 13. Jennings was convicted of the 1979 rape and murder of 6-year-old Rebecca Kunash in Brevard County.
If carried out, Jennings’ death would mark Florida’s 16th execution in 2025, reinforcing the state’s position as the national leader in executions this year.
Attorneys for Jennings are expected to appeal to both the Florida and U.S. Supreme Courts in an effort to halt the execution.
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