Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a death warrant for Richard Barry Randolph, a 63-year-old man convicted of the brutal 1988 murder and rape of his former manager, Minnie Ruth McCollum. This execution, scheduled for November 20, 2025, marks a significant moment, pushing DeSantis’s administration to a record-setting pace for capital punishment in the state, with 17 executions set for 2025 alone—a number not seen since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976.
In a move underscoring Florida’s accelerating commitment to capital punishment, Governor Ron DeSantis has issued a death warrant for Richard Barry Randolph, scheduling his execution for November 20, 2025. This decision places Florida on an unprecedented trajectory, with 17 executions slated for the current year, a figure that surpasses all previous records since the state reinstated the death penalty in 1976. This development prompts a deeper look into the specifics of Randolph’s crime, the historical context of Florida’s death penalty, and the broader implications of this surge in executions.
The Case of Richard Barry Randolph: A Look Back at the Crime
Richard Barry Randolph, now 63, was convicted in 1989 for a heinous crime committed in August 1988. Court records detail his attempt to break into the safe at the Handy-Way convenience store in Patatka, where he had previously been employed. During the attempted robbery, Randolph was confronted by the store manager, Minnie Ruth McCollum. A struggle ensued, leading to Randolph brutally beating, strangling, stabbing, and raping McCollum. He subsequently fled the scene in the victim’s car.
Three women witnessed Randolph departing the store and, noticing the disarray inside, promptly contacted the sheriff’s office. A deputy arrived to find McCollum still alive. She was rushed to a hospital in a coma but tragically succumbed to severe brain injuries six days later, according to medical reports.
Randolph’s apprehension occurred swiftly after the attack. Deputies arrested him at a Jacksonville grocery store where he was attempting to borrow money and cash in lottery tickets stolen from the Handy-Way store. Investigators reported that Randolph admitted to the attack and directed them to the bloody clothing he had discarded. Despite his conviction and decades on death row, attorneys for Randolph are expected to file appeals with both the Florida Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court, a common and often prolonged step in death penalty cases.
Governor DeSantis and Florida’s Capital Punishment Surge
Governor Ron DeSantis has overseen a significant acceleration in the number of death warrants signed, distinguishing his administration as particularly active in capital punishment. With Randolph’s warrant, Florida is set to conduct its 17th execution in 2025 alone. This figure surpasses the previous annual record of eight executions, set in 2014, and marks an unprecedented pace for Florida since the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976, as reported by The Associated Press (Associated Press).
This rapid succession of executions is part of a broader trend. DeSantis also signed warrants for Norman Mearle Grim Jr., scheduled for October 28, and Bryan Fredrick Jennings, set for November 13. The state’s most recent execution before Randolph’s was the lethal injection of Samuel Lee Smithers on October 14, convicted of killing two women. Florida’s aggressive approach to capital punishment has positioned it as a leader in executions across the United States. So far, 39 people have been executed nationwide in 2025, with Florida contributing significantly to this total, according to the Death Penalty Information Center (Death Penalty Information Center).
Historical Context: Florida’s Death Penalty Landscape
Florida’s history with the death penalty is complex. While capital punishment was briefly halted nationwide in the 1970s, it was reinstated in Florida in 1976. Since then, the state has consistently been one of the most active in carrying out executions. The governor plays a pivotal role in this process, signing death warrants that set the final date for lethal injection. This executive power allows for periods of heightened activity, such as the one currently observed under Governor DeSantis.
The legal framework surrounding capital punishment in Florida involves extensive appeals processes, often spanning decades. These appeals typically challenge the conviction itself, the sentencing phase, or the methods of execution, often reaching the highest courts in the state and the nation. The longevity of these cases means that inmates like Richard Randolph, whose crime occurred in 1988, may spend many years on death row before their ultimate date is set.
The Broader Implications and Community Dialogue
The accelerated pace of executions in Florida under Governor DeSantis has reignited intense debates surrounding capital punishment. Advocates for and against the death penalty frequently raise questions about its ethical implications, effectiveness as a deterrent, and the finality of irreversible judgments. The swiftness with which death warrants are being issued also draws scrutiny regarding the thoroughness of the review process, especially as complex legal appeals continue in many cases.
Community reactions often reflect deep divisions on the issue, ranging from calls for swift justice for heinous crimes to concerns about potential wrongful convictions and systemic biases within the justice system. The focus on individual cases like Richard Randolph’s, juxtaposed with the broader statistical trends, offers a poignant reminder of the profound human and societal dimensions inherent in every execution. As Florida continues its record-setting trajectory, the ongoing dialogue about justice, punishment, and the role of the state in matters of life and death will undoubtedly intensify.
