Since I took over as Executive Director in June of 2022, I have overseen 22 executions, which includes the most by any Florida governor in a single year, and the fastest pace ever in Florida history. 22 times I have written or spoken this phrase, “We the people of the State of Florida executed…” I say it that way on purpose. I want people to feel the weight of this responsibility, so they feel compelled to stay in the fight and help us bring about change. It’s the only way.
Last night, we the people of the State of Florida executed our fifth veteran of the year, Norman Grim. As we shared in our statement, Norman long believed his life wasn’t worth saving. After his arrest, he would not let his trial lawyers offer his jury any reason to spare his life, and then he waived all of his final appeals.
We have been asked a lot in the past few weeks, why are we still opposing an execution if the client isn’t trying to stop it? For me, the death penalty always says more about the society that is carrying out the killing than it does about the person being killed. Norman’s crime was tragic. So was the lifetime of trauma, abuse and mental illness that led him to violence. And the shameful endcap is what Florida did last night — killing a broken man who had already given up on living.
Even more disturbing, Governor DeSantis signed Norman’s death warrant knowing he had no state-appointed lawyer. After his prior attorney retired without properly filing paperwork to withdraw from the case, the State of Florida failed to uphold their responsibility to ensure he had continuous access to counsel. He is not the only one. Just 11 days after setting in motion the process to send Norman to the death chamber, Governor DeSantis signed a warrant for Bryan Jennings, who also had no state-appointed lawyer. The battle over Bryan’s pending execution continues and I promise we will have a further update for you later this week. We also plan to share more information about the execution of Richard Randolph (Malik Abdul-Sajjad) scheduled for November 20th. Malik is also a veteran, and a man who has demonstrated immense growth during his almost 40 years on Florida’s death row.
I find it hard to imagine Florida sinking any lower than it has with these 15 state sanctioned killings this year. And yet, now we are executing 3 veterans back-to-back, 2 of whom are without lawyers. We are in a constitutional and moral collapse. Is this the State of Florida you signed up for?
Turning the tide and looking to the future
Listen, I appreciate that this email sounds and feels very dark and heavy, so I need you to also believe me when I say we are slowly turning the tide. People are listening. The country and the world is watching. I need you to keep up the pressure — to keep calling out our leaders who are bragging about this execution body count like it’s some kind of sick achievement. I need you to keep showing up when you are tired.
And I need it now more than ever. As some of you know, we have some exciting changes afoot at FADP. It has been my joy and honor to be Executive Director of FADP for the past three and a half years. As many of you know, I’m also a long time capital defense lawyer. I have done my very best to manage both of these jobs through these incredibly trying times.
However, the time has come for a change. And we are so unbelievably fortunate that Grace Hanna is willing to serve as FADP’s brand new full-time Executive Director, effective on November 1st.
For those of you who have already had the pleasure of meeting and working with Grace, you know as well as I do how she has elevated the work of FADP since she joined our organization in January. She has broadened our network and influence. She has literally and figuratively held the hands of so many people this year facing this painful execution process. She is thoughtful and organized and driven, and she has the strategic mindset necessary to lead this organization through the most difficult phase in the history of Florida’s death penalty.
Grace has asked me to stay on as FADP’s Legal and Policy Director. Bridget Maloney is staying on as our Communications Director. I am beyond excited and honored to stay on staff in this new role. I am eager and ready to help and support Grace so that we can continue to grow and strengthen this organization. We will continue to be the leading voice of opposition during this brutal time.
Grace will formally introduce herself to you all in the coming days. Last night, she and I shared this news with our supporters at the vigil, and we were overwhelmed by your support and excitement.
I know these times are dark, and hard. But I think if you look closely at the photo below from last night’s vigil, you’ll see a couple flashes of blue in those cloudy skies over the prison. I promise that Grace, Bridget and I will continue to seek out those glimmers of light. And I need you to promise that you will do the same.
Onward,
Maria DeLiberato
(Soon to be known as) FADP Legal and Policy Director
