Last night, the State of Florida executed Melvin Trotter for the 1986 murder of Virgie Langford. There are many things to say about Melvin’s childhood and life leading up to the tragic death of Ms. Langford, many of which we covered in our statement that we hope you will read and share. Through his nearly 40 years on death row, Melvin became an artist, a man who carried remorse and sought meaning in a space that offers very little of it.
Even though SCOTUS denied Melvin’s application yesterday afternoon, Justice Sonia Sotomayor issued a comment respecting the denial. Reasonable people may differ on how much to read into that. We do not. In a system that had carried out 29 executions under this Governor without a single Justice writing separately, the fact that Justice Sotomayor chose to put even a few words on paper matters. It means someone on the highest court in the country felt compelled to formally acknowledge what is happening in Florida.
In this work, it is easy to feel like we are shouting at a brick wall. Yesterday, though, a brick fell. It wasn’t enough to bring the wall down. It wasn’t enough to save Melvin. But it was enough to prove that the wall is not untouchable. We do not dismiss moments like that. We widen them. We push at them. We make sure the next brick falls faster than the last. There will be more that fall in the days, weeks, and months ahead. Of that, I am absolutely certain.
As we grieve for Virgie and Melvin, we also recommit ourselves to what comes next. We regroup. We gather our strength. And we turn our full attention to Billy Kearse’s execution, scheduled for March 3, and Michael King’s, scheduled for March 17. Florida may be accelerating, but so are we. Please take action for Billy and for Michael.
Despite the nonstop pace of executions, legislative insults, and constitutional shortcuts, I have hope for Florida. Every petition delivered, every vigil organized, every press statement written, every family supported is all powered by people like you. If you, like us, believe Florida can and must do better than this, please consider a donation today to help us loosen another brick. When enough of them fall, the wall cannot stand.
Onward,
Grace Hanna
FADP Executive Director
P.S. If you weren’t able to join us on Monday for our Weight of War webinar, we strongly encourage you to take the time to watch the recording. The stories shared by Captain Cody, Sergeant Wright, and Seaman Heady illuminate how trauma, service, and systemic failure collide in veteran criminal cases. Please watch and share.