STARKE, Florida — The State of Florida carried out the execution of Norman Mearle Grim Jr., 65, on Tuesday evening, October 28, 2025, at the Florida State Prison. Grim was pronounced dead at 6:14 p.m. following a lethal injection, marking the end of a case that has lingered in Florida’s justice system for more than two decades.

Grim had been convicted of the 1998 rape and murder of his neighbor, Cynthia Campbell, in East Milton, near Pensacola. The case was one of the most shocking crimes in Santa Rosa County’s history, drawing national attention due to the brutality of the attack and the overwhelming evidence presented during the trial. Authorities said that Campbell’s body was discovered in Pensacola Bay, showing multiple blunt-force injuries and 11 stab wounds, including seven that pierced her heart.

Investigators at the time said Campbell had gone to Grim’s home to assist him with a computer problem. It was there that she was assaulted and killed before her body was taken to the bay. DNA samples, blood evidence, and personal items collected from Grim’s residence linked him directly to the crime, forming the backbone of the prosecution’s case.

Following his conviction in 2000, Grim was sentenced to death by a Florida court. Over the years, he waived his right to further appeals, stating that he accepted the punishment handed down to him. Despite numerous reviews and opportunities for clemency, Grim consistently declined to challenge his death sentence.

Witnesses present during the execution reported that Grim appeared calm as he was escorted into the chamber. He made no final statement before the lethal injection was administered. Officials confirmed that the process was carried out without complications and in accordance with state protocol.

This execution marks Florida’s 15th execution of 2025, a record number for the state in a single calendar year since the reinstatement of the death penalty. The high number of executions has reignited a statewide debate over capital punishment, with supporters arguing it delivers long-overdue justice, while opponents question its moral and legal implications.

Officials from the Florida Department of Corrections stated that the execution brought a sense of closure to the victim’s family, who had waited 27 years for the case to reach its conclusion. In a brief statement, representatives of the family expressed relief that justice had finally been served, though they acknowledged that no legal outcome could erase the pain of their loss.

Advocacy groups and legal experts continue to voice differing opinions on the state’s approach to capital punishment. Some argue that the growing number of executions reflects a renewed commitment to upholding court decisions, while others see it as a troubling escalation that calls for legislative review.

Outside the prison in Starke, a small group of protesters gathered with signs calling for an end to the death penalty, while a separate group stood in support of the execution, citing the need for accountability in violent crimes. The quiet divide among Floridians mirrors a national conversation on justice, forgiveness, and the limits of punishment.

As the sun set over Florida State Prison, the long and painful story that began in 1998 reached its final chapter. For some, the execution of Norman Mearle Grim Jr. symbolizes closure and justice served; for others, it renews questions about life, redemption, and the state’s responsibility in determining when a life should end.