Florida Executes 18th Individual of the Year, Man Sentenced for 1989 Homicide

A man convicted of a brutal murder over three decades ago was executed in Florida on Tuesday evening.

The individual, aged 58, was executed at 6:15 p.m. via a three-drug protocol. This was in response to the murder conviction for the 1989 killing of Tressa Pettibone. Although his initial sentence was overturned, the conviction was upheld, leading to his resentencing to the death penalty in 1992.

During his final moments, when given the opportunity to speak, Geralds addressed someone by an unclear name, expressing regret for missed time, and professed enduring love.

Once the lethal substances were administered, Geralds took several heavy breaths, then exhibited involuntary movements before he went completely still within a few minutes.

Record Execution Numbers in Florida This Year

This year, Florida reached an unprecedented number of executions, with the 18th occurrence and another scheduled shortly.

Details from the case indicate that Pettibone’s young son, aged 8, discovered his mother deceased—beaten and stabbed—on the kitchen floor. Geralds, once employed as a carpenter at their residence, encountered Pettibone and her children at a mall days prior, learning of her husband's absence.

Geralds attempted to ascertain details about their household schedule from Pettibone's son, such as family comings and goings, according to court testimony.

Authorities identified incriminating evidence, including jewelry bearing Pettibone’s blood that Geralds pawned, and binding materials in his car that matched those used in the crime.

Facing execution, Geralds declined to further contest his case, and the court approved his decision.

Nationwide Execution Statistics for 2025

In total, there have been 45 court-ordered executions across the United States this year, with additional executions expected before year-end.

Since the reconstitution of the death penalty in 1976, Florida's previous peak yearly execution count was eight in 2014. Florida leads the nation in executions for the year, with an upcoming execution specified in a newly signed death warrant.

The state plans its 19th execution for December 18, involving Frank Athen Walls, convicted for another double homicide and additional confessed murders.

Florida administers lethal injections using a combination of a sedative, a paralytic agent, and a heart-stopping drug, as stated by the Department of Corrections.