News Summary
Samuel Lee Smithers, a 72-year-old man, is scheduled for execution by lethal injection in Florida after being convicted of the 1996 murders of Christy Cowan and Denise Roach. The death warrant has been signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, amid Florida’s surge in executions. Smithers’ history includes a brutal double homicide connected to his activities in landscape maintenance, where the victims were discovered in a pond. As discussions regarding the death penalty continue, Smithers’ case adds significant weight to ongoing debates about capital punishment in the state.
Florida Man Samuel Lee Smithers Set for Execution in October for 1996 Murders of Two Women
Florida State Prison is set to execute 72-year-old Samuel Lee Smithers by lethal injection on October 14, 2025. Smithers has been convicted of the brutal murders of two women, Christy Cowan and Denise Roach, whose bodies were discovered in a pond in rural Plant City in 1996.
The death warrant for Smithers was signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, who has presided over a surge in executions, making Florida poised to execute more individuals in a single year than any governor since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. Smithers will join a growing list, becoming the 14th individual scheduled for execution in the state during 2025.
Governor DeSantis has emphasized law and order throughout his administration, signing Smithers’ death warrant on a Friday night shortly before another scheduled execution of David Joseph Pittman on September 17, 2025. Another execution is also anticipated for Victor Tony Jones on September 30, 2025.
Murder Details
Smithers’ activities leading to the double homicide began when he met Cowan and Roach at a Tampa motel on separate occasions to pay for sex. He was working in landscape maintenance at a 27-acre property with three ponds at the time of the murders.
On May 28, 1996, property owner Marion Whitehurst, a Baptist deacon, encountered Smithers cleaning an axe in the carport, where he also noticed a pool of blood. Smithers insisted the blood was from an animal killed by someone else.
Following Whitehurst’s report to law enforcement, investigators discovered drag marks leading to the pond, where they later found the bodies of Cowan and Roach. Both victims had been severely beaten and strangled before being discarded in the water.
Smithers admitted to the murders and was convicted and sentenced to death in 1999. His convictions and death sentences have since been upheld by the Florida Supreme Court.
Context of Executions in Florida
In 2025, Florida has emerged as the leader in executions across the United States, with a total of 30 executions thus far this year. The last execution prior to Smithers’ scheduled date took place on August 28, 2025, when Curtis Windom was executed for the 1992 murders of his girlfriend, her mother, and another man.
Historically, Florida saw its previous highest number of executions in one year in 2014 when eight individuals were executed. Under Governor DeSantis, the state is on the path to significantly surpass that record.
Final Thoughts
As the date for Smithers’ execution approaches, it contributes to the ongoing discussions surrounding the death penalty and its application in Florida. The process reflects the current administration’s emphasis on law enforcement and capital punishment as means of addressing violent crime.
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Additional Resources
- ABC News: Florida Man Killed 2 Women Set for Lethal Injection
- Wikipedia: Death Penalty in Florida
- The Guardian: Florida Execution of Curtis Windom
- Google Search: Florida Executions 2025
- NBC News: Florida Man Convicted of Killing Woman
- Google Scholar: Samuel Lee Smithers
- UPI: Florida Executes 9th Inmate
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Florida Death Penalty
- The Hill: DeSantis and the Spike in Executions
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
