A Florida man who was convicted of raping and murdering his former manager at a convenience store in 1988 was executed on Thursday, marking the state’s 17th execution this year.
Richard Barry Randolph, aged 63, was found guilty of the brutal murder and rape of Minnie Ruth McCollum, the convenience store manager. The incident occurred when McCollum, aged 62, interrupted Randolph’s attempt to break into the store’s safe at the Handy Way Convenience Store where he previously worked.
Following his conviction in 1989 for murder, armed robbery, sexual battery, and grand theft, Randolph was sentenced to death. After 37 years, the Florida Department of Corrections administered a lethal injection, and Randolph was pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m., without making a final statement. According to DeSantis spokesman Alex Lanfranconi, the execution proceeded without any complications.
Court records indicate that in August 1988, Randolph tried to break into the safe at a convenience store in Palatka, leading to a violent encounter with McCollum. He proceeded to assault, strangle, stab, and rape McCollum before fleeing the scene in her car.
Three witnesses observed Randolph leaving the store in a state of disarray and promptly alerted the police. McCollum was discovered alive but in a coma by an officer who arrived at the scene. Tragically, she succumbed to severe brain injuries six days later.
Following the crime, Randolph was apprehended at a Jacksonville grocery store while attempting to borrow money and cash in stolen lottery tickets. He confessed to the attack and disclosed the location of the discarded bloody clothing to investigators.
Despite several appeals, including claims of legal errors and lack of consent from his lawyers, Randolph’s appeals were denied by the Florida Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court.
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