James Dennis Ford
James Dennis Ford, 64, left a handwritten note before his execution that read 'Hugs Prayer Love!!! God bless everyone.' The State of Florida executed him by lethal injection at Florida State Prison on February 13, 2025, the first execution in the state that year, and he was pronounced dead at 6:19 p.m. before about 25 witnesses. His lawyers argued in appeals that he has an intellectual disability, claims the Florida Supreme Court rejected. The U.S. Supreme Court denied his final appeal the day before the execution. The New York Post reported that a staffer's check after the injection found no response.
Cause of death, as reported: Executed by the state. His lawyers argued he had intellectual disability, a claim the Florida Supreme Court rejected before the execution.
Reported by: Florida Department of Corrections (the agency that held him); Vocal.media roundup of 2025 U.S. executions (reporters); his lawyers.
Sources (6)
- Execution List 1976-present
- Florida executes man convicted in 1997 murders of couple in Charlotte County
- Charlotte County man executed for 1997 double murder witnessed by toddler
- Florida death row inmate executed for the 1997 killing of a couple in front of toddler
- Every United States Prisoner Executed 2025
- 2025 in Review, Part I