*Warning: This article contains information about a disturbing crime.*
Florida is preparing to execute James Dennis Ford, a Death Row inmate, today for the brutal killings of a young couple in front of their toddler daughter. Ford, 64, has been on death row for over two decades for the 1997 murders of Gregory and Kimberly Malnory, who were in their mid-20s.
If the execution proceeds as planned, Ford will be the first inmate to be executed in Florida this year and the fourth in the United States. His legal team has been arguing against the death penalty for Ford, claiming that his mental development is 20 years below his actual age.
Kimberly Malnory’s mother, Linda Griffin, expressed profound grief over her daughter’s death, calling her “my life, my laughter, and my tears” during Ford’s trial in 1999.
Here are the key details about Ford’s upcoming execution, scheduled to take place shortly before Richard Lee Tabler’s execution in Texas for a double murder in 2004.
**Execution Details**
James Dennis Ford will be executed at the Florida State Prison in Raiford, Florida, at 6 p.m. ET on Thursday, Feb. 13.
**The Malnorys’ Tragic Story**
On April 6, 1997, Ford lured Gregory and Kimberly Malnory to a fishing trip at the South Florida Sod Farm in Punta Gorda, Florida, accompanied by their 23-month-old daughter, Maranda. Ford first attacked Gregory, fatally shooting him, bludgeoning him, and slitting his throat. Despite Kimberly’s efforts to save Maranda, Ford returned to assault and kill her, leaving Maranda alone in the truck.
The next day, the Malnorys’ bodies were discovered at the sod farm. Maranda survived but was found dehydrated, covered in insect bites, and her mother’s blood. Ford initially claimed they were alive when he left them to go hunting.
**Remembering the Malnorys**
Greg and Kimberly Malnory were well-loved by their community, with Greg being described as an avid outdoorsman and a dedicated worker. Kimberly was known for her selfless nature and bubbly personality. Their friends and family recall them fondly, highlighting their loving relationship and the impact of their tragic deaths.
“It was an effortless and enjoyable experience, filled with laughter until she struggled to catch her breath. Their friends and family, she added, would never fully recover from the tragic loss. The profound void left by their absence is indescribable. Captured in a family portrait, Kimberly and Gregory Malnory radiated happiness on their wedding day. However, their joy was brutally cut short when they were discovered murdered on a sod farm in northeast Charlotte County in 1997. James D. Ford was ultimately convicted of their heinous murders in 1999.
Delving into the background of James Dennis Ford unveils a surprising revelation. Prior to the murders, Ford had no notable criminal history, and those close to him attested that he displayed no indications of violent tendencies. However, his upbringing was marred by challenges, including an alcoholic father and a mother who deserted the family when he was just 14 years old, as documented in court records.
Describing the tumultuous final years of his life, Rodney McCray, a trusted confidant of the family, recounted Ford’s father’s escalating alcoholism, sharing that he was practically drinking non-stop. Despite these difficulties, Ford shared a deep bond with his dad, so much so that he prioritized spending time with him at the cemetery where his father worked in Arcadia, leading him to prematurely drop out of school. Ford’s first wife highlighted the unparalleled closeness between the father and son, emphasizing that their relationship surpassed any other she had witnessed.
Tragically, Ford’s world was shattered when his father passed away at the age of 52 while he was still in his early twenties. Struggling to cope with the loss of his best friend, Ford’s emotional turmoil deepened. As a coping mechanism, Ford turned to alcohol, gradually escalating his consumption to a staggering 24 beers a day, as detailed in records.
Facing the bleak reality of his impending execution, Ford’s legal options dwindled rapidly. The Florida Supreme Court upheld his death sentence, prompting his defense team to seek a stay of execution from the U.S. Supreme Court. Despite their efforts, the high court ruled in favor of proceeding with Ford’s execution, leaving him with one final recourse – a potential stay from Republican Governor Ron DeSantis.
In the midst of this profound tragedy, the impending execution of James Dennis Ford marks the culmination of a devastating series of events, forever altering the lives of all involved in this harrowing tale.”
