In just 48 hours, the State of Florida plans to execute Ronald “Ronnie” Heath.
- More than 4,000 people have signed this petition urging Governor DeSantis and the Clemency Board to stop Ronnie’s execution. Please help us reach 5,000 before Tuesday by signing and sharing.
- Please also send a message to the Governor directly urging him to grant a stay.
- If the execution does proceed, please join us at Florida State Prison on Tuesday at 5 p.m., online, or at one of the several vigils being held across the state.
An Execution in 48 Hours Despite Undisputed Evidence of State Failure
Ronnie’s case is now before the U.S. Supreme Court, where his attorneys have filed an emergency application asking the Court to stay his execution, along with a petition asking the Court to review a critical constitutional question Florida courts refused to consider meaningfully: whether Florida’s documented pattern of lethal injection errors violates the Eighth Amendment.
Florida’s own records show that during its unprecedented execution spree, the Department of Corrections has repeatedly failed to follow its own lethal injection protocol — including using expired drugs, preparing incorrect dosages, and administering unauthorized substances. These are not allegations. The State documented them in its own logs, and they remain undisputed.
Ronnie is asking a simple and necessary thing: that Florida not be allowed to carry out an irreversible punishment while serious, unresolved constitutional questions remain. The answer, of course, should be a resounding no.
Melvin Trotter’s Case is Now Before the Florida Supreme Court
As Florida rushes toward Ronnie’s execution, another man on death watch — Melvin Trotter — is now asking the Florida Supreme Court to intervene. Earlier this week, Melvin filed a petition asking the Court to stay his execution and order an independent investigation into Florida’s lethal injection practices. Like Ronnie’s case, Melvin’s filing is grounded in Florida’s own execution records that show repeated deviations from the State’s written protocol during recent executions.
Melvin’s attorneys do not mince words. They warn that Florida is asking courts to “wait and see what happens” — even though history has already shown what happens when execution protocols are ignored:
We do not need to ‘wait and see what happens.’ History tells us what can happen when the procedures and protocols are not complied with.
Melvin is not asking for anything extraordinary. He is asking the Florida Supreme Court to do what courts and governors have done before when execution systems fail: pause, investigate, and ensure the State is not violating the Constitution in our name.
Florida’s leaders have refused to act. That leaves all of us with a responsibility we cannot ignore. Please sign and share Melvin’s petition and send a message to the Governor.
Looking Ahead: Billy Leon Kearse (March 3)
As Florida moves forward with executions at breakneck speed, a third case is already in motion. Billy Kearse is scheduledfor execution on March 3, and his case is currently before the St. Lucie Circuit Court.
Billy’s case paints a devastating and deeply human picture. He was just 18 years old at the time of the crime and had endured severe childhood abuse, extreme neglect, and lifelong intellectual and neurological impairments. His death sentence was imposed under an unconstitutional sentencing scheme, yet courts continue to refuse to remedy that injustice.
After more than three decades on death row, Billy is no longer the traumatized teenager Florida condemned to die. He is widely described as a thoughtful, remorseful, and deeply spiritual man who has devoted himself to reflection, faith, and helping others. This transformation has never been meaningfully considered by the Governor, Clemency Board, or courts.
We will share more about Billy’s pending filings in the coming days. For now, you can take action by signing his petition urging the Governor and Clemency Board to stop this execution before it happens.
Florida’s leaders may be rushing to carry out irreversible harm, but they are not doing so uncontested. We are here. We are watching. And together, we are building the power needed to stop these executions and end this broken system once and for all.
Onward,
The FADP Team
P.S. These final days are some of the most resource-intensive moments of our work. If you’re able, please consider donating to help sustain FADP’s advocacy, legal support, and on-the-ground presence in these critical hours.