News Summary
Thomas Lee Gudinas was executed in Florida after spending decades on death row for the 1994 murder of Michelle McGrath. This marked the state’s seventh execution in 2025, contributing to a worrying trend of increased capital punishment nationwide. Gudinas’ last-minute appeals were denied by the U.S. Supreme Court, raising concerns about the legitimacy of Florida’s capital punishment system. As the number of executions rises, discussions about its implications for justice and fairness in the legal system continue.
Florida executed Thomas Lee Gudinas on June 25, 2025, at Florida State Prison near Starke. The 51-year-old was put to death by lethal injection after having spent decades on death row for the 1994 murder of Michelle McGrath. Gudinas’s execution marked him as the seventh individual executed in Florida within 2025, as the state leads the nation in capital punishment this year.
Last-minute appeals from Gudinas’s attorneys regarding his execution were denied by the U.S. Supreme Court, which did not provide an explanation for its decision. This rejection came following a series of legal challenges concerning Florida’s execution protocols and the constitutionality of its capital punishment system. Gudinas’s legal team had previously argued that the current system, which grants the governor the sole authority to sign death warrants, creates an arbitrary process for executions.
The state of Florida executed six individuals in 2023 and only one in 2022, indicating a significant uptick in execution rates. In total, Florida has conducted more executions than any other state in 2025, with Texas and South Carolina each executing four individuals this year as well. Additionally, Mississippi is preparing for its first execution since 2022, set for June 26.
Gudinas’s execution comes as part of a troubling trend of rising capital punishment in the United States, where a total of 23 executions have been carried out thus far in 2025. This may signal a record year for executions since 2015. States such as Alabama (three), Oklahoma (two), and Arizona, Indiana, Louisiana, and Tennessee (one each) have also contributed to this increase.
In the case of Michelle McGrath, who was last seen leaving the Barbarella’s nightclub in downtown Orlando shortly before 3 a.m. on May 24, 1994, her body was discovered hours later in an alley. An examination revealed signs of severe trauma and sexual assault, with the cause of death determined to be a brain hemorrhage resulting from blunt force injuries. The investigation led to eyewitness accounts placing Gudinas at the crime scene and involving statements from other individuals that he had previously threatened.
Gudinas was convicted in 1995, and his defense argued for clemency based on his lifelong mental health issues. However, the Florida Supreme Court rejected these claims, stating that the legal protections for intellectually disabled individuals do not extend to those suffering from other mental health conditions.
On the day of the execution, Gudinas requested a last meal that included pepperoni pizza, french fries, and soda. The execution process began at approximately 6:00 p.m., and he was pronounced dead at 6:13 p.m., during which witnesses, including reporters and Florida Department of Corrections officials, observed the procedure. Reports indicated that, following the administration of the lethal drugs, Gudinas displayed slight convulsions before becoming unresponsive. Witnesses noted an inaudible final statement from Gudinas before his death.
This execution is part of a broader discussion surrounding capital punishment in Florida and its implications for future cases in the state. As executions increase, along with ongoing legal debates, the trend raises questions about the implications for individuals on death row and the effectiveness and fairness of the death penalty system in Florida.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- AP News: Florida Executes Thomas Lee Gudinas
- CBS News: Florida Executes Man Convicted of Rape and Murder
- The Guardian: Florida Execution of Thomas Lee Gudinas
- USA Today: Thomas Lee Gudinas Executed in Florida
- Jacksonville: Florida Executions 2025 List
- Wikipedia: Capital Punishment in Florida
- Google Search: Thomas Lee Gudinas
- Google Scholar: Thomas Lee Gudinas Execution
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Capital Punishment
- Google News: Executions in Florida
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.
