Pedro Medina
Pedro Medina, a Cuban refugee, was executed in Florida's electric chair at Florida State Prison in Raiford on March 25, 1997, at age 39. Former warden Ron McAndrew, who witnessed the execution, says the chair malfunctioned, flames came from Medina's head, and he was still alive for several minutes. The Florida Department of Corrections records the execution, and an autopsy and the Florida Supreme Court are reported to have said he died quickly and felt no pain, an account McAndrew rejects. Medina's final words, as reported, were that he was still innocent.
Cause of death, as reported: Executed by the state. Former warden Ron McAndrew, who witnessed the execution, says the chair malfunctioned, flames came from Medina's head, and he was still alive for several minutes, which he calls a botched execution.
Reported by: Florida Department of Corrections (the agency that held him); Ron McAndrew, former warden who witnessed the execution (witnesses); medical examiner Dr Belle Almojera (medical examiner or coroner); Florida Supreme Court (court).
Sources (11)
- Execution List 1976-present
- 25th anniversary of Ted Bundy’s execution, and other infamous Florida criminals put to death
- The execution that haunts prison worker 28 years later: Death row officer had therapy for a decade after horrific mishap filled cells with the smell of 'burning flesh'
- America's Worst Execution: Faulty Electric Chair Left Murderer in Agony as His Body Burst Into Flames — As Witness Claims 'He Was Still Alive When His Head Was on Fire'
- Disturbing scenes as head explodes in flames in USA's worst ever execution
- 'Old Sparky' botched execution turned victim's head into a fireball: 'We burned him alive'
- Former death row executioner recalls botched execution that left him with PTSD
- I was a death row executioner and quit with PTSD after watching sickening 15-minute botched killing of inmate
- America's worst ever death row execution was so graphic warden needed 13 years of therapy
- Death row warden needed 13 years of therapy after witnessing worst ever US execution
- Death row execution was so chilling traumatized Florida warden needed therapy