A man convicted of murdering a Charlotte County couple in 1997 is set to be executed after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed his death warrant on Friday, the first in 2025 for the state.
According to the court documents, James D. Ford is scheduled to be put to death at 6 p.m. on Feb. 13.
Ford was sentenced to death in 1999 after being convicted for the double-murder of Charlotte County couple, Greg and Kimberly Malnory.
The couple was reportedly found shot and beat to death at South Florida Sod Farm in Charlotte County on April 7, 1997.
According to court documents, the couple worked with Ford. They had a toddler in their truck and were out on a fishing trip with Ford at the time of their murder.
The toddler was reportedly left inside the truck for more than 18 hours.
*WARNING: GRAPHIC DETAILS BELOW*
Ford shot Greg Malnory in the back of the head before repeatedly beating him in his face and head with a blunt weapon and slitting his throat, according to court documents.
Kimberly Malnory's body was reportedly found near the truck where documents said she had nine blunt-force injuries to her head, as well as a gunshot through her mouth and defensive wounds on her arms.
Ford was also convicted of sexual battery and child neglect and he will now be the first executed death warrant of 2025.
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