Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a death warrant for a man convicted of the brutal 1997 murders of a couple in Charlotte County.
James D. Ford, 64, is scheduled to be executed on February 13th at Florida State Prison for the murders of Greg and Kimberly Malnory. This would be the first execution in Florida this year and follows a single execution carried out in 2024.
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Ford, a former co-worker of Greg Malnory at South Florida Sod Farm, lured the couple to the remote farm under the pretense of a fishing trip. The next day, their bodies were discovered. Greg Malnory had been shot, beaten, and had his throat slit, while Kimberly Malnory had been raped, beaten, and shot. Their 22-month-old daughter was found unharmed in their truck, where she had been left for over 18 hours.
Ford was convicted in 1999 and sentenced to death. His appeals have been repeatedly denied by state and federal courts.
The death warrant, posted on the Florida Supreme Court website, states that “executive clemency is not appropriate” in this case.
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Florida’s use of the death penalty has been sporadic in recent years. While no executions were carried out in 2020, 2021, and 2022, six inmates were put to death in 2023. The most recent execution was that of Loran Cole in August 2024 for a 1994 murder.
Despite previous appeals being denied, Ford’s attorneys are expected to launch a legal challenge to the death warrant. The Florida Supreme Court has already set a timetable for potential legal proceedings.
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