Florida man executed for 1998 rape and murder of his neighbor

A Florida man convicted of raping and killing his neighbor decades ago was put to death Tuesday evening in a record 15th execution in Florida this year.

STARKE, Fla. — A Florida man convicted of raping and killing his neighbor decades ago was put to death Tuesday evening in a record 15th execution in Florida this year.

Norman Mearle Grim Jr., 65, was pronounced dead following a three-drug injection at Florida State Prison near Starke. He was convicted of sexual battery and first-degree murder in the July 1998 death of Cynthia Campbell.

The curtain to the death chamber went up promptly at the scheduled 6 p.m. execution time. Grim was already strapped to a table with his arm extended and an IV in place. Asked if he wished to make a final statement, he said, "No, sir."

The lethal injection began about a minute later, followed by Grim closing his eyes, breathing heavily and twitching slightly.

The inmate eventually stopped moving and a warden shook him several times and yelled his name, with no response from Grim. A medic was called in at 6:13 p.m. to check Grim's vitals, and the man was declared dead a minute later.