Florida's Thomas Gudinas Set for Execution Over 1994 Orlando Murder

Orlando, Florida, USA - As Floridians grapple with the implications of capital punishment, the looming execution of Thomas Lee Gudinas is a chilling reminder of the state’s complex history with the death penalty. Scheduled for execution on June 24, 2025, Gudinas was convicted for the 1994 murder and rape of 27-year-old Michelle McGrath in Orlando, a crime that has haunted the local community for decades. According to ClickOrlando, Gudinas‘ attorneys are requesting a stay on the execution, claiming a lack of criteria in Florida for determining who ultimately receives the death penalty, and questioning an absence of established guidelines from Governor Ron DeSantis when signing death warrants.

In the late hours of May 24, 1994, Michelle McGrath was last seen alive at Barbarella’s bar in Orlando, leaving just after 2:45 a.m. Her body was discovered the next morning in an alley, brutally beaten and showing clear signs of sexual assault. Gudinas, who was also at the bar that night, had friends who departed without him. Eyewitnesses reported seeing him in the area, later driving McGrath’s car. His conviction in 1995 led to a death sentence, which has withstood challenges in both state and federal courts, including habeas corpus petitions that were ultimately denied.

The Growing Count of Executions in 2025

This execution will mark Gudinas as the seventh individual put to death in Florida this year—a sharp increase compared to just one execution in 2024 and six in 2023. As noted by Florida Today, the pace of executions in Florida is noteworthy, raising questions about the state’s approach to capital punishment. For context, Florida has a notorious history with the death penalty, which was reinstated in 1976 and has seen a total of 110 executions since then. The state recorded its highest number of executions in a single year—eight—back in 1984 and 2014.

While Gudinas‘ execution is pressing, it’s part of a broader discussion on Florida’s capital punishment practices. Executions in Florida were historically conducted by counties until 1923, when state control was instituted, switching the method from hanging to electrocution. The state has faced criticism and legal challenges regarding its execution processes, from the way juries are placed on death penalty cases to the constitutionality of its sentencing procedures.

Searching for Closure

The impending execution shines a light not just on Gudinas but on the devastating impacts of crime. McGrath’s sister has publicly stated that the execution may finally provide closure for her and her family, allowing them to move forward without the burden of checking on Gudinas‘ status in the prison system.

Meanwhile, the Florida Attorney General’s office is adamant about proceeding with the execution and is pushing the Florida Supreme Court to deny the request for a stay. Such tensions reflect ongoing debates about justice, punishment, and the moral implications of capital punishment in our society.

As this somber event unfolds, one thing is clear: the execution of Thomas Gudinas will evoke strong feelings and reactions across the state, reigniting discussions around the efficacy and humanity of the death penalty in modern Florida. Residents await the responses from the courts and the actions from lawmakers with bated breath.

For further reading, more details can be found at ClickOrlando, Florida Today, and Death Penalty Information Center.