A man who was convicted of the rape and murder of his manager at a Florida convenience store in 1988 was executed on Thursday evening, marking the 17th execution in the state this year.
Richard Barry Randolph, aged 63, was found guilty of the brutal and prolonged murder and rape of Minnie Ruth McCollum, the store manager, in 1988. The incident occurred when Randolph, then 27 years old, was trying to break into the safe at the Handy Way Convenience Store, where he previously worked, and McCollum confronted him.
After being convicted of murder, armed robbery, sexual battery, and grand theft in 1989, Randolph spent thirty-seven years on death row before being executed by lethal injection by the Florida Department of Corrections. The execution proceeded smoothly, with Randolph passing away at 6:12 p.m. without making any final statements.
In August 1988, court records show that Randolph attempted to break into the safe at a convenience store in Palatka, his former workplace, and was caught by McCollum. A struggle ensued, leading Randolph to brutally assault, strangle, stab, and rape McCollum before fleeing the scene in her car.
Despite being witnessed leaving the store by three women who alerted the police, McCollum was found alive but in a coma by an officer who responded to the scene. Tragically, she succumbed to severe brain injuries six days later in the hospital.
Following the crime, Randolph was apprehended at a Jacksonville grocery store while trying to obtain money and cash in stolen lottery tickets. He confessed to the attack and directed investigators to the discarded bloody clothing he wore during the incident.
Despite his appeals, Randolph’s execution was upheld by the Florida Supreme Court, and his final appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court was denied on the morning of his execution.