Execution Scheduled for Florida Man Convicted of Murdering Store Owner
In a recent development from Tallahassee, Florida, a man convicted for the murder of a grocery store owner during a robbery is slated for execution. Melvin Trotter, aged 65, is scheduled to receive a lethal injection on February 24 at Florida State Prison. This execution follows a death warrant signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, who authorized a record number of executions last year, tallying up to 19.
The year 2025 marked a high point for executions under DeSantis, a Republican, who outpaced all previous Florida governors in terms of executions since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. Previously, the highest number of executions in a single year was eight, set in 2014. Florida’s execution schedule, which paused in January, is expected to resume with two executions per month as seen from May to December last year. Ronald Palmer Heath, 64, is also set for execution on February 10, preceding Trotter’s execution by two weeks.
Trotter was originally convicted and sentenced to death in 1987 for the first-degree murder of Virgie Langford. The Florida Supreme Court later found mishandling in the case regarding aggravating factors, leading to a resentencing in 1993, where Trotter was again sentenced to death.
According to court documents, Trotter attacked Langford in 1986 at her Palmetto store, strangling and stabbing her. Langford, found alive by a truck driver, managed to describe Trotter before succumbing to her injuries in the hospital. Her description included Trotter’s physical features and a Tropicana employee badge with the name “Melvin” on it. Police investigations revealed a T-shirt with Langford’s blood type at Trotter’s residence and his handprint on a meat cooler in the store.
Trotter’s legal team is anticipated to pursue appeals at both the Florida Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court. The year 2025 saw a total of 47 executions across the United States, the highest since 2009, with Florida spearheading the numbers due to the numerous death warrants signed by DeSantis.
