News Summary
Samuel Lee Smithers, 72, is set for execution by lethal injection in Florida after being convicted of the brutal murders of two women in 1996. His execution on October 14, 2025, marks a significant event as he will be the 14th inmate executed in Florida this year. Governor Ron DeSantis has overseen a rise in executions, with Smithers’s upcoming execution following closely behind that of other convicts. Smithers’s case included severe criminal actions that shocked the community and raised concerns about capital punishment in the state.
Florida Man Samuel Lee Smithers Scheduled for Execution in October for 1996 Double Murder
Floridians are awaiting the execution of Samuel Lee Smithers, 72, who is set to be executed by lethal injection on October 14, 2025, at Florida State Prison. His death warrant was signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, marking a significant milestone in Florida’s historical rate of capital punishment, as Smithers will be the 14th inmate executed in the state this year alone.
The year 2025 has seen Florida surpass previous execution records, with Smithers joining an increasing list of inmates facing the death penalty. Governor DeSantis has executed more convicted individuals in a single year than any Florida governor since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. The upcoming execution of Smithers is scheduled closely ahead of other executions, including David Joseph Pittman on Wednesday and Victor Tony Jones on September 30, 2025.
Details of the Crime
Smithers was convicted for the brutal murders of two women, Denise Roach and Christy Cowan, whose remains were uncovered in a rural pond in Plant City, Florida, back in 1996. The events began when Smithers met both women at a motel in Tampa, where he engaged them in sexual acts before luring them to a property where he worked as a landscape maintenance employee.
On May 28, 1996, the property owner, Marion Whitehurst, observed Smithers cleaning an axe and a pool of blood at the property, which prompted her to alert law enforcement. Upon their arrival, deputies discovered drag marks leading to a pond where the bodies of Roach and Cowan were found. Both women had been subjected to severe beatings and strangulation before being discarded in the water.
Legal Proceedings
In the aftermath of the investigation, Smithers confessed to the murders, and a trial in 1999 led to his sentencing to death. His conviction and sentence have been upheld by the Florida Supreme Court, establishing a solid legal foundation for the upcoming execution.
Florida’s Execution Statistics
This year’s execution pace in Florida stands as a significant statistic; as of now, there have been 30 executions carried out in the United States, with Florida leading this troubling trend. The last execution in the state occurred on August 28, 2025, involving Curtis Windom, who was convicted of multiple murders back in 1992. The previous record for executions in Florida during a single year is eight, last achieved in 2014.
Currently, there are 266 individuals on death row in Florida, including two people in their 80s who have awaited execution for over 40 years. The growing number of executions reflects both the state’s legal framework and the ongoing debate surrounding the use of the death penalty in Florida.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Pinellas County Launches $125.5 Million Beach Renourishment Project
Florida Man Samuel Lee Smithers Set for Execution for Murders
Additional Resources
- ABC News: Florida Man Killed 2 Women Set for Lethal Injection
- NBC News: DeSantis and Florida’s Record Executions
- Sun-Sentinel: DeSantis Signs Death Warrant for Man Convicted of Murdering 2 Women
- Tallahassee.com: DeSantis Sets Mark for Florida Executions
- CBS News: Ron DeSantis Signs Death Warrant for Victor Tony Jones
- Wikipedia: Death Penalty in Florida
- Google Search: Florida Executions
- Google Scholar: Florida Death Penalty
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Capital Punishment
- Google News: Florida 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.
