Florida has carried out its first execution of 2026, administering a lethal injection to convicted murderer Ronald Palmer Heath at Florida State Prison near Starke. The 64-year-old was put to death on Tuesday evening for his role in the brutal 1989 killing of travelling salesman Michael Sheridan.
Details of the Execution
Heath was already secured on the execution table with an intravenous line inserted when officials opened the curtain to the chamber at 6pm. When asked by the prison warden if he had any final words, Heath reportedly responded: "I'm sorry. That's all I can say. Thank you."
Witnesses described Heath showing little visible reaction as the three-drug lethal injection protocol was administered. He closed his eyes, appeared to fall asleep, and became motionless before being pronounced dead at 6.12pm.
The 1989 Murder Case
Court records reveal that Heath and his brother Kenneth met their victim, Michael Sheridan, at a Gainesville bar on 24 May 1989. After Sheridan bought them drinks and inquired about purchasing marijuana, the brothers conspired to rob him.
The trio drove to an isolated dirt road where Kenneth Heath held Sheridan at gunpoint. When the salesman initially refused to surrender his belongings, Kenneth shot him in the chest. Despite being wounded, Sheridan began emptying his pockets, at which point Ronald Heath kicked him and stabbed him with a hunting knife.
Kenneth Heath then fired two shots into Sheridan's head. The brothers subsequently dumped the body in a wooded area before returning to the bar to loot Sheridan's rental car. Their capture came after they made multiple purchases using the victim's credit cards.
Divergent Legal Outcomes
Ronald Heath was convicted of first-degree murder, armed robbery, and multiple forgery charges, receiving the death sentence. His brother Kenneth, however, struck a plea deal, testifying against Ronald in exchange for a life sentence without parole for 25 years. Kenneth Heath is now eligible for parole.
Court documents suggest Ronald Heath was the instigator of the crime, allegedly ordering his brother to shoot the victim. This distinction has become central to debates about the case's fairness.
Controversy and Criticism
Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (FADP), an anti-capital punishment organisation, strongly condemned Heath's execution. The group stated: "Ronnie was put to death for a murder he did not commit. The undisputed trigger man in that crime, Ronnie's brother Kenneth, received a life sentence with the possibility of parole."
FADP added: "That means one day Kenneth may walk free on this earth, while Ronnie will be buried six feet under it." The organisation characterised Heath's execution as continuing what they describe as a "politicised, frantic, and disproportionate" execution spree in Florida.
Florida's Execution Record
Heath's death marks the beginning of what could be another active year for capital punishment in Florida. The state set a grim record in 2025, executing 19 individuals – more than double the previous high of eight executions recorded in 2014.
Republican Governor Ron DeSantis oversaw more executions in 2025 than any Florida governor since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. This execution trend has drawn significant attention and criticism from human rights advocates and anti-death penalty campaigners across the United States.
The case continues to raise questions about sentencing consistency, the application of capital punishment, and the political dimensions of execution policies in America's third most populous state.
