Court orders and official announcements

DeSantis Signs First Death Warrant of 2025 for James Ford, Scheduled for Execution on Feb. 13 at 6 p.m.

Jan 10, 2025, 09:30 PM

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed the first death warrant of 2025 for James D. Ford, who was convicted of the brutal murders of Greg and Kimberly Malnory in Charlotte County in 1997. Ford, a former co-worker of Greg Malnory at South Florida Sod Farm, is scheduled to be executed at 6 p.m. on February 13. The murders took place during a fishing trip at the sod farm, where Ford shot Greg Malnory in the head, beat him, and slit his throat, while Kimberly Malnory was raped, beaten, and shot. Ford was also convicted of sexual battery and child neglect. The couple's 22-month-old daughter was left in their truck for over 18 hours following the murders. Ford was convicted in 1999 and sentenced to death, and his appeals have been rejected by both state and federal courts. As the execution date approaches, Ford has been moved to a death watch cell. This execution would mark the first in Florida for 2025.