Crist signs death warrant for park ranger killer

January 12, 2010 on 10:49 pm | In Case news, State legal news | |

FLORIDA—-new execution date

Gov. Charlie Crist signed a death warrant for Martin Grossman, convicted
of murdering a Pinellas County wildlife officer in 1984. Grossman is scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection on Feb. 16 at 6 p.m.

Grossman was 19 years old when he and a friend went to a wooded area in
Pinellas County on Dec. 13, 1984 to shoot a stolen handgun.

Florida Wildlife Officer Margaret Park interrupted them and Grossman
pleaded with her not to report him for having the gun and being outside
Pasco County, both of which were violations of his probation for burglery.

Grossman struck Park on the back of the head when she tried to radio for
help and his accomplice beat her.

Grossman, who was a foot taller and 100 pounds heavier than Park, wrestled
her gun away from her and shot her in the back of the head.

The Florida Supreme Court issued stays of execution for 2 other death row
inmates Crist had ordered to be put to death. Including Grossman, Crist
has ordered 7 death row inmate executions since taking office in 2007.

Those cases are still pending.

(source: Palm Beach Post)