Florida Sets Grim Record: Curtis Windom Executed as 11th This Year

Florida Sets Grim Record: Curtis Windom Executed as 11th This Year

On August 28, 2025, the State of Florida carried out the execution of Curtis Windom, marking a grim milestone for the state as his execution was the 11th this year, setting a record for the highest number of executions in a single year in Florida’s history. Windom, who was 59 years old, was pronounced dead at 6:17 p.m. after a lethal injection at Florida State Prison near Starke. His final moments were obscured by a sheet, and reports indicate he made an unintelligible statement just before the drugs were administered, followed by visible signs of discomfort as the lethal agents took effect Florida Death Penalty reports.

Windom’s execution marked a somber continuation of Florida’s aggressive use of the death penalty. With this execution, Florida surpassed its previous record of eight executions in one year, a feat accomplished in 2014. This year, Florida has executed more individuals than any other state, with a total of 11, while the U.S. overall has seen 29 executions to date, also a significant uptick compared to past years WUSF News and Newsweek confirm.

The Crime and Legal Battle

Curtis Windom was convicted of a horrific triple murder that took place on November 7, 1992, in Winter Park. He murdered his girlfriend, Valerie Davis, her mother, Mary Lubin, and a man named Johnnie Lee, amidst a brutal robbery that stemmed from jealousy over a gambling win by Lee. Windom planned the murders meticulously, purchasing a .38-caliber revolver to carry out the crimes; he shot Lee not once but four times, then turned on Davis in the presence of a friend, and finally shot Lubin at a stop sign WUSF News.

Following his conviction, Windom faced nearly three decades of legal appeals, during which he challenged the adequacy of his legal representation and sought to present mental health evidence. These claims, however, were repeatedly denied by both the Florida Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court, who rejected his final appeal just a day prior to his execution Florida Death Penalty.

A Community Divided

The execution has stirred deep emotions within the community. Both the families of Windom and the victims expressed their conflicting feelings regarding the death penalty. The family of Windom stated he was taken away from them and expressed their love for him. Conversely, family members of the victims, including Kemene Hunter, sister of Valerie Davis, expressed that it took 33 years to achieve a sense of closure, showcasing the complex feelings surrounding such capital punishment WUSF News.

Additionally, advocacy groups like Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (FADP) have voiced their opposition, condemning the execution as a loss not only for Windom’s family but also for the families of the victims. This duality of grief highlights the moral and ethical debates that continue to surround the application of the death penalty in Florida and the United States Florida Death Penalty.

The Bigger Picture

As we look at the landscape of capital punishment in the U.S. for 2025, Florida’s actions bring to the forefront serious discussions about justice, morality, and the future of the death penalty. With 11 executions already and another scheduled, the state stands at the forefront of a national conversation where more states, including Alabama, Texas, and South Carolina, are also conducting executions this year. Florida’s aggressive stance raises pertinent questions about the fairness and effectiveness of the death penalty Newsweek.