The US state of Florida has executed Curtis Windom, a man convicted of a brutal double murder in 2013, by lethal injection. The execution proceeded at Florida State Prison on Wednesday, 27th August 2025, making Windom the fourth inmate put to death in the state this year.
Windom, 54, was sentenced for the murders of his ex-girlfriend, 26-year-old Dominique Battle, and her new partner, 27-year-old Derek Mincey. The court found that Windom fatally shot the couple in a jealous rage at a car wash in St. Petersburg, Pinellas County.
A Final Statement and Last Meal
In his final statement, Windom did not acknowledge the victims or express remorse for his crimes. Instead, he spoke of a desire for peace, stating, "I wish I could bring peace and harmony to the world. I wish the best for everybody." His last meal consisted of fried chicken, strawberry cheesecake, and a cola.
Victims' Families Respond
The execution brought a long-awaited sense of justice to the grieving families. A statement from Dominique Battle's family described her as "a vibrant young woman whose life was tragically cut short" and expressed that while the execution wouldn't bring her back, it provided "a measure of closure." Similarly, Derek Mincey's family hopes his death "serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of such violent acts."
The Ongoing Death Penalty Debate
Windom's execution reignites the contentious debate surrounding capital punishment in the United States. Florida remains one of the most active states in carrying out death sentences, with methods including lethal injection and, recently authorised, the use of a nitrogen gas mask. Opponents of the death penalty continue to argue against its use, citing moral objections and the risk of executing innocent individuals.
With this execution, Florida has now put four inmates to death in 2025.
