Criminal Justice Archives - WMNF 88.5 FM

Ronald Heath was executed yesterday. Heath’s death warrant was signed on Jan. 9 by Gov. Ron DeSantis. He then filed an appeal with the Florida Supreme Court. He asked to pause his execution, arguing the state had violated its own lethal injection protocol.

The appeal cited the use of expired drugs, incorrect or incomplete dosages, and administering unauthorized drugs like lidocaine. The 76-page brief pointed that this “reckless maladministration,” would cause Heath a painful execution.

That could be a violation of the Eight Amendment’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

Heath’s legal team also attached inventory logs to the brief. They claimed that the Department of Corrections failed to document drugs used, when they were provided and their dosages.

For Bridget Maloney, the communications director of Floridians for an Alternative to the Death Penalty, these are warning signs that the integrity of the execution process is at risk.

Especially, as Florida recorded 19 executions last year, a modern-era record. According to a press release from the FADP, these executions were 40% of all executions nationwide.

“Most alarmingly, in four different executions in 2025 they logged expired atom,” Maloney said referring to records presented surrounding a previous case. Heath’s litigation built pointed to those records too. “It was about a year after the expiration date.”

The Florida Supreme court denied his appeal and claims. They argued that “the question is not whether protocol deviations occurred,” rather if there was any certainty that the violations led to “a substantial and imminent risk of serious illness and needless suffering.” The court did not find that certainty demonstrated.

His legal team recommended for all executions to be paused while an independent panel reviewed the FDOC’s lethal injection protocol. The review would lead to additional training and reform to safely restart executions. Added documentation of any alleged errors in the recent applications of lethal injections was also required.

All of these petitions were denied. The court argued the alternative execution method provided didn’t allow the state to complete the execution “relatively easy and reasonably quickly.”

Heath was executed yesterday at 6:00pm for the murder of Michael Sheridan in Gainesville. His death marks the first execution of 2026.

In the death row docket, Melvin Trotter is next with his execution scheduled for Feb. 24.

He is pursuing a different case with the Florida Supreme Court. Trotter’s brief takes the Department of Corrections’ claim that the inventory logs –presented in Heath’s appeals– and other legal documents present inconsistencies due to being redacted and requests for the information to be made public record.

He is also pushing for an independent review of the protocol.

His legal team argues that “not only Mr. Trotter, but the People of the State of Florida have a right to know that FDOC is in compliance with all the procedures they claim to be following” and questions whether the agency needs more oversight and transparency.

A sentiment that is echoed by Bridget Maloney and the FADP.

“There are real people, victims, families, sheriffs, in that room, when something goes wrong, that scars them.” she said, referring to the dark room people can sit in and witness an execution. “It is challenging enough to watch someone die… [but] to watch that extreme level of pain that could have easily been prevented?”

Among the documents requested by Trotter are:

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The new Street Legal initiative is changing how legal services are delivered in Hillsborough County by providing essential support directly to those in need in their underserved and remote neighborhoods. On Feb.4, 2026, Lisa B. McLean, the elected Public Defender of Hillsborough County, and Dionne Jones, Chief Strategy Officer for the Public Defender’s Office, join MidPoint to discuss the Street Legal program and possible legislative impacts on their work.

Lisa B. McLean explains that feedback from voters and successful models in other counties inspired the Street Legal program, which will deliver legal services directly to neighborhoods far from the Public Defender’s office, where transportation is challenging for many of their clients.  The idea originated from the Sixth Judicial Circuit, where former Public Defender Bob Dillinger led a community-focused initiative using a mobile legal services bus. This concept inspired Street Legal, connecting residents with legal guidance and social support in their communities. The program’s motto is “How can I help?”

The new initiative brings together agencies that provide criminal case information, housing assistance, mental health and addiction services, affordable medical and dental care, and support for civil legal issues, such as evictions and family law matters. The program will partner with the Tampa Hillsborough Housing Initiative, Ibis Healthcare, Bay Area Legal Services, and others. Representatives from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Department of Corrections will also participate, answering questions about jail, probation, or reentry. Some visitors may receive immediate assistance, while others are referred to partner agencies or scheduled for follow-up.

The first Street Legal event will take place on Saturday, February 21, at the University Community Resource Center in Tampa. Future events are scheduled for the third Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lisa B. McLean and Dionne Jones note that initial sessions will be staffed by experienced attorneys and senior leadership executives from the Public Defender’s Office to ensure consistent service and to address a broad range of questions. Spanish language translators, access to case information, and private spaces for confidential discussions will be available.

The MidPoint guests also highlighted some proposed changes in state law and policy affecting their clients.

Most significantly, House Bill 1017, now pending in the Florida Legislature, would require large mandatory cash bonds for failures to appear, eliminating judicial discretion to release on recognizance or on a lesser bail where circumstances warrant. Additionally, now,  federal immigration detainers are being placed on non-citizens more quickly after their arrest, leaving those defendants with no release options, even when a state court bond is set. The federal government’s deportation surge has also made Public Defender clients more likely to challenge thir charges at trial, rather than negotiate a plea deal because any conviction, even for a very minor offense, is likely to lead to deportation now.

The Street Legal program is not limited to pre-existing clients of the Public Defender’s Office. If you need legal services or assistance, consider attending a Street Legal event. It is open to all residents and provides direct access to legal and social support resources. Mark your calendars:

Saturday, February 21, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
University Community Resource Center
3605 North 22nd Street, Tampa

You can listen to the entire show on demand from the archives here, on the WMNF app, or as a WMNF MidPoint podcast on Spotify or Apple Music.

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The Florida Sheriff’s Association plans to bring back a controversial program that faced criticism for racial profiling. The group announced it at a meeting in Polk County Monday detailing how they plan to crack down on undocumented immigrants in the state. 

President of the Florida Sheriff’s Association Bill Prummel announced they are reinstating a street task force program. It gives state and local law enforcement more power under ICE to deport undocumented immigrants.

Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri emphasized that these programs are specifically to crack down on undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes.

“There’s a number of ways that sheriff’s and local law enforcement agencies can help ICE- and we should help ICE, because ICE does not have the resources to do it alone,” Gualtieri said.

President Donald Trump restored the controversial program in an executive order last month.

It ended 13 years ago after a federal investigation found racism against Latinos in Arizona. 

But when asked about the fear of racial profiling here in Florida, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd completely dismissed it. 

“We’re tired of hearing that crap. It’s BS. It’s total BS. It’s woke left crazy talk,” Judd said.

But Florida Immigrant Coalition’s Thomas Kennedy argues that illegal racial profiling is a very real possibility. 

“It’s not going to be woke-left crazy talk when there are dozens of lawsuits against police departments like his because these officers are engaging in racial profiling,” Kennedy told WMNF.

Kennedy said the plans erode the trust of the community and make undocumented victims more hesitant to seek help in potentially violent situations.

“It’s bureaucratic, it’s burdensome for police departments, for police officers, and it erodes the trust between local communities and law enforcement officials,” Kennedy said.

The first name of Sheriff Gualtieri has been corrected in this version of the story

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Florida seeks delay due to Biden administration. Expansion of kid care can help children with complex issues.

A federal judge sentenced three members to probation and community service.

Legislators in Tallahassee want to end the Dreamer Bill. It has been a decade-old law.

A student opened fire at her catholic school. She died on the way to the hospital.

The Pillar Coral species is now on the endangered species list. The Florida Aquarium wants to breed more.

The Scoop producer Leah Burdick

WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Meghan Bowman, Seán Kinane

Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5

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A Republican State Senator, Randy Fine, has proposed repealing a law that prevents people under age 21 from buying rifles and other long guns.

Data shows the HIV count for Black biological women going from 5 in 2021 to 16 in 2023.

A committee of Pinellas parents and teachers has unanimously rejected a request to remove a book from elementary school libraries because of its political views.

The Tampa Bay Rays president said the team believes that the Pinellas County Commission will approve funding for a new stadium at its meeting next Tuesday.

The President and CEO of Visit Florida, Dana Young, announced yesterday she will step down. Young oversaw Florida’s tourism and marketing efforts as state House leaders pushed for the agency’s closure.

Lakeland resident Thomas Osborne will receive his sentence on March 18th after his conviction last week on four counts related to the U.S. Capitol attack on January 6th 2021.

The Scoop producer Kiley Petracek

WMNF anchors Meghan Bowman, Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane

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The people of Florida are voting on an amendment to the constitution to decriminalize adult recreational marijuana.

Sunday Forum October 27, 2024 8am

Sunday Forum October 27, 2024 9am

Attorney Michael Minarti and advocate Roz McCarthy with Minorities for Medical Marijuana are guest on the Forum.

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Four activists accused of illegally acting as Russian agents to help interfere in the U.S. election began.

WMNF’s Chris Young reports how the jails in Pinellas County are seriously overcrowded, due to a law signed in 2023 by Governor Ron DeSantis.

Florida Attorney General, Ashley Moody, filed a lawsuit yesterday surrounding a violation of the handling of record requests for immigration practices.

The meteorology company AccuWeather has scaled back predictions for this year’s hurricane season, forecasting 16 to 20 named storms.

Hillsborough, Sarasota, Polk, and Miami-Dade counties have confirmed cases of the Oropouche virus, also known as sloth fever, transmitted from fly and mosquito bites.

The Scoop producer Leah Burdick

WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane

Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5

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With less than 100 days before the general election, Florida voters appear to be poised to legalize recreational marijuana.

But the opposition is just getting started.

Florida has some of the toughest marijuana laws in the country and tens of thousands of people are prosecuted every year. Voters will decide Nov. 5 whether to amend the state constitution to legalize possession of up to 4 ounces of marijuana for adults 21 and over

Two supporters and an opponent of Amendment 3 appeared on WMNF WaveMakers with Janet & Tom on Tuesday (7/30) to discuss the measure.

Michael Minardi, a Tampa criminal defense attorney and a member of the national legal committee of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), said the amendment is needed because police and prosecutors continue to charge tens of thousands of people every year in Florida. Last year, at least 66,000 people were charged with marijuana possession, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Minardi said he was not surprised by the number of arrests. He said law enforcement has a financial stake in enforcing marijuana laws and sees the end coming so is pushing for more arrests while it can. He’s even handled cases in which someone with a medical marijuana card has been arrested because they didn’t have it in the labeled container it came in.  “The odor of marijuana is still probable cause to search,” he said.

Even people who are caught with medical marijuana without a license are being charged with marijuana possession, he said. And while simple possession is a misdemeanor that usually does not bring a jail sentence for a first offense, it can make it more difficult to find a job or housing, Minardi said.

That’s reason enough to vote yes on Amendment 3, he said.

Jodi James, a longtime advocate of marijuana reform who is working with the Safe and Smart Florida campaign to approve the amendment, said she and other advocates will lobby the Legislature if the amendment passes to make sure medical marijuana patients are protected and recreational weed customers can get access without breaking the law.

Some medical marijuana patients oppose the amendment because it doesn’t allow Floridians to grow their own marijuana. She said they will also advocate for laws to allow people to grow their own marijuana, which is not included in the amendment because the law requires only only one subject at a time, James said.

Jessica Spencer, the advocacy director for the Vote No On 3 campaign, which was formed just last week, said she opposes the amendment because it doesn’t address important aspects of recreational marijuana, including taxes, outdoor smoking and funding for drug education and treatment. 

Floridapolitics.com reported recently on an internal poll by Vote No on 3 that found that support for the amendment stands at about 64 percent, enough to meet the 60 percent requirement for passage. A poll released Tuesday also found 64% support, with 31% opposing and 5% undecided or refusing to answer the question, the Florida Phoenix reported.

Spencer said she’s confident there is sufficient time to defeat the amendment. “Once people start understanding and reading the amendment they’ll see what the issues and flaw are and why this really doesn’t work for our state,” she said. “I’m just excited to be a part of this.”

She said her group, which is backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, believes the amendment is poorly worded and shouldn’t be in the Constitution. The group also is worried that a black market will increase if recreational weed is legalized because it will likely be cheaper than buying from a licensed distributor. Legalizing would also put children at risk because they will be exposed to more marijuana. And the amendment doesn’t address smoking in public.

Minardi said the Legislature banned smoking medical marijuana in public even though it was not addressed in the amendment and believes it will do the same with recreational marijuana.

Hear the entire conversation by clicking the link below, going to the WaveMakers archives or by searching for WMNF WaveMakers wherever you listen to podcasts.

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The Florid Policy Institute is recommending state lawmakers fix prisons that need critical repairs.

The University of North Florida released a poll that said nearly 800 people surveyed that President Donald Trump holds a seven-point lead on Vice President Kamala Harris.

During a gallery opening in Ybor City, local artists had artwork with tomato soup thrown on it. WMNF’s Chris Young reports one artist called this humiliating.

The Scoop producer Leah Burdick

WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane

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