Florida Sets Record with 15th Execution in 2025, Grim's Lethal Injection Marks Grim's Grim Sentence

Strategic Insights -

Norman Grim Jr.'s execution via lethal injection on Tuesday marked Florida's 15th death sentence in 2025, setting a record for the state. Grim, 65, was found guilty of the 1998 sexual battery and first-degree murder of his neighbor, Cynthia Campbell, an attorney who was reported missing in July 1998 before a fisherman found her body in the waters near the Pensacola Bay Bridge. Grim had a history of violent crimes, including a 1990 kidnapping conviction and a subsequent burglary conviction, and was on parole when he committed the heinous crime against Campbell.

Key Takeaways:

  • Norman Grim Jr. was sentenced to death for the 1998 sexual battery and first-degree murder of his neighbor, Cynthia Campbell.
  • Grim had a history of violent crimes, including a 1990 kidnapping conviction and a subsequent burglary conviction.
  • Campbell was an attorney who was reported missing in July 1998 before a fisherman found her body in the waters near the Pensacola Bay Bridge.
  • Grim's execution is the 41st in the nation so far this year and nearly doubles Florida's prior record of eight executions in a year.
  • Four other executions are scheduled before the year ends across the United States, which would raise the total number of executions to 46 for the year.
  • Florida is scheduled to execute Bryan Jennings on Nov. 13 for kidnapping, raping, and murdering 6-year-old Becky Kunash.
  • Grim was convicted and received a death sentence in December 2000, 16 years after being found guilty of kidnapping a woman in 1984.
  • Grim was also on parole for a subsequent burglary conviction when he committed the heinous crime against Campbell.
  • Grim attacked Campbell with a knife and a hammer, raped her, and eventually killed her after she reported a broken window at her home.
  • According to court records, Campbell suffered 18 blows and was stabbed 11 times, mostly in her heart.
  • Grim wrapped Campbell's body in sheets and a carpet, which he dumped in Pensacola Bay, and a fisherman found her body two hours later.

Statistics:

  • 15 executions carried out in Florida in 2025, setting a record for the state.
  • 41 executions carried out in the nation so far in 2025.
  • 46 total executions scheduled before the year ends across the United States.
  • 8 executions in a year prior to 2025 in Florida.
  • 98 executions carried out in 1999.
  • 1990 kidnapping conviction of Norman Grim Jr.
  • 2000 conviction and death sentence of Norman Grim Jr.
  • 16 years between Norman Grim Jr.'s 1984 kidnapping conviction and his 2000 conviction and death sentence.

Sources:

  • UPI (Oct. 28)
  • CBS News
  • USA Today
  • Pensacola New Journal (1998)