The Florida Supreme Court has denied a request to halt the upcoming execution of James Ford, 64, who was convicted of the 1997 murders of a couple in Charlotte County. Ford is scheduled to be put to death on February 13th at Florida State Prison.
Ford’s attorneys had filed a motion for a stay of execution last week, arguing that new evidence had emerged regarding Ford’s “mental impairments.”
They contended that Ford had the mental and developmental age of a 14-year-old at the time of the murders and attempted to draw a connection with the 2005 U.S. Supreme Court decision Roper v. Simmons, which bars executing individuals who were under 18 at the time of their crimes.
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However, the Florida Supreme Court unanimously denied the motion, stating that Ford had not presented sufficient grounds for relief. While this ruling does not end the broader legal battle surrounding Ford’s mental capacity, it represents a setback for efforts to prevent his execution.
The Attorney General’s Office opposed the motion, arguing that Ford’s claim was untimely and that the victims’ family had a right to a timely resolution. They also emphasized that the Roper v. Simmons ruling applies only to chronological age, not mental age.
Ford’s attorneys cited a recent evaluation by a neuropsychologist as new evidence of Ford’s mental impairments. However, the state disputed this, asserting that the evidence was not new and that further delays in the execution were unwarranted.
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Ford was convicted of the brutal murders of Greg and Kimberly Malnory at a Charlotte County sod farm. He received two death sentences and has unsuccessfully pursued past appeals. If the execution proceeds as scheduled, Ford will be the first inmate put to death in Florida this year.
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