The state of Florida has scheduled the execution of Richard Barry Randolph, 63, who was convicted of raping and murdering his former manager at a convenience store in 1988. Governor Ron DeSantis signed the death warrant, with execution set for November 20, 2025.
The Crime & Conviction
Richard Barry Randolph was convicted in 1989 for the brutal 1988 attack at the Handy-Way convenience store in Palatka, Florida. He assaulted and raped his former manager, Minnie Ruth McCollum, after she confronted him during a robbery attempt. She died days later from brain injuries.
Randolph was sentenced to death for murder, armed robbery, sexual battery and grand theft.
The Execution Date & Context
Governor DeSantis signed the warrant requiring Randolph to be executed by lethal injection at Florida State Prison on November 20, 2025.
This execution would mark the 17th in Florida in 2025 — a record number of executions in the state since the death penalty restart in 1976.
Why It Matters
- The case highlights how decades-old crimes remain subject to the most severe punishments in the U.S. legal system.
- Florida’s record number of executions in 2025 raises questions about death-penalty policy, speed of implementation, and appellate review.
- It underscores the intersection of sexual violence, murder, and corporate employment (the victim was his former manager) in a criminal context.
Call to Action:
Stay tuned for updates on Randolph’s appeals and execution proceedings. This case may spark renewed debate over capital-punishment practices and justice for victims of violent crimes.
