Tomorrow, Florida is scheduled to carry out its 13th execution this year. Barring a stay, Victor Jones, an intellectually disabled Black man who survived horrific abuse at the Okeechobee School for Boys, will be killed at 6 p.m.
For decades, Florida officials dismissed Victor’s testimony of abuse as “not credible.” Prosecutors mocked him at trial, telling jurors he deserved death because he had squandered the “opportunities” Florida gave him when they sent him to a state run reform school known for brutalizing its young charges. But just this year, the Florida Attorney general formally recognized Victor as a survivor of abuse and deposited compensation funds into his prison account. Only 53 days later, Governor DeSantis signed his death warrant.
We cannot allow the State of Florida to bury this truth.
Here’s how you can help right now:
- Sign and share our petition — Tomorrow, we will deliver thousands of petition signatures directly to the Governor and Clemency Board. Add your name now, and share with a friend.
- Send a message to Governor DeSantis — Urge him to stop Victor’s execution. He has the sole authority to stop Victor from being killed. At any time for any reason, Gov. DeSantis could grant a stay.
- Contact your legislators — Survivors of state violence don’t stop being survivors when they are incarcerated. Legislators must hear that this execution is unacceptable.
- Join us at an event — We will gather for a vigil and peaceful protest tomorrow, September 30, at 5:00 p.m. across the street from Florida State Prison. Please join us there, online, or at one of the many events happening across the state.
Warrant Signed for Unrepresented Norman Grim
On Friday, September 26, Governor DeSantis signed his 15th death warrant of the year for Norman Mearle Grim, Jr., setting an execution date of October 28, 2025.
Shockingly, Grim was without state court counsel until just a few hours ago. His prior attorney retired years ago but never formally withdrew, leaving him without proper representation. The Attorney General and courts are required by law to ensure continuous counsel for people sentenced to death — yet that safeguard failed here. Earlier this year, the Attorney General asked a circuit court to appoint new counsel, calling it a “routine review” and denying knowledge of any pending warrant. The court took no action. Then, just days before the Governor signed Grim’s warrant, the Attorney General renewed its request — this time without disclaimers. Less than an hour after the warrant was signed, the Attorney General rushed to file an emergency motion for appointment of counsel in the Florida Supreme Court.
This sequence raises disturbing questions about whether the state knew Grim’s warrant was coming months before he himself was notified. Now, Grim’s newly appointed counsel has only a few days to review decades of court records and submit their initial filing. This is an unreasonable ask under any circumstances, let alone while facing down an impending execution. For more information, we encourage you to read today’s message from the Editorial Board at the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Please take a moment to sign this petition urging Governor DeSantis and the Florida Board of Executive Clemency to stop Mr. Grim’s execution.
Victim’s Father Opposes Samuel Smithers’ Execution
On October 14, 2025, Florida is scheduled to execute Samuel Lee Smithers, sentenced to death in 1999 for the tragic murders of Christie Cowan and Denise Roach. At 72 years old, Mr. Smithers would be among the oldest people Florida has ever executed.
His lawyers argue that executing elderly people serves no deterrent or retributive purpose, violates the Eighth Amendment, and offends evolving standards of decency. Medical evaluations now show that Mr. Smithers suffers measurable cognitive decline, with a history of brain damage and psychotic disturbance dating back to his trial. Experts warn his decline is progressing toward dementia.
We often hear from our leaders that the death penalty is for the victims. However, in Mr. Smithers’ case, John Cowan, the father of victim Christie Cowan, pleaded with the court not to perpetuate more violence, reminding jurors and the judge that “Mr. Smithers is also a child of God.” He wrote later: “We are all victims in this case, and I don’t see what possible good purpose can be served by inflicting additional pain on all of us.”
Mr. Smithers’ execution would not honor victims — it would compound the suffering of families and carry Florida further away from justice.
Please take a moment to sign this petition urging Governor DeSantis and the Florida Board of Executive Clemency to stop Mr. Smithers’ execution.
Onward,
The FADP Team