Martin Grossman

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Martin Edward Grossman
Death sentence

Martin Edward Grossman (January 19, 1965 – February 16, 2010) was convicted of

Jewish American, received strong support from national and international Jewish organizations for his death sentence to be commuted.[2][3][4]

Early life

Grossman, an only child, grew up having to care for his

barbiturates, readily available in his mother's medicine cabinet. He was also well known as a very skilled driver.[5]

Murder

On December 13, 1984, Margaret "Peggy" Park, a 26-year-old wildlife officer, came across Grossman (then aged 19) and Thayne Taylor (aged 17) shooting a stolen handgun in a wooded area of

Pasco County. Both were violations of his probation.[6]

As Park picked up her radio to call the sheriff's office, Grossman beat her on the head and shoulders with her flashlight. She was also beaten by Taylor. Park then managed to draw her gun and fire a warning shot. Grossman, a foot taller and 100 pounds heavier than Park, wrestled the gun away from her and shot her once in the back of the head. His arrest shocked family and friends who could not imagine he could be capable of such a crime.[6]

Grossman was

third-degree murder. He was released in community supervision after serving two years and 10 months of a seven-year prison term.[6]

Arguments for clemency

Supporters of Grossman alleged that his trial was improperly handled and that there was mitigating evidence to justify being granted

Florida Supreme Court that the trial was handled properly and that all evidence was allowed to be presented.[7]

The defense originally hired psychologist Sidney Merin, PhD, to evaluate Grossman. However, the defense did not call Merin to the stand because his evaluation of Grossman was not favorable to Grossman's case.[8][9]

After Grossman's conviction, the defense hired a second expert, North Carolina psychologist Rollin Bradshaw "Brad" Fisher Jr, PhD, to prepare a psychological report as part of Grossman's appeal of his conviction. Fisher wrote in his psychological report that testing on Grossman "did not reveal any signs of a current psychotic condition or of any major affective disorder."[10][11]

As part of its post-conviction appeal, the defense claimed that a childhood evaluation of Grossman said he scored 77 on an

United States Supreme Court for a hearing; it was ruled that the execution may proceed.[14]

Third-party appeals

Emails, faxes and letters were sent to the

Governor of Florida Charlie Crist and to other prominent officials involved in the case. On the day of the execution nearly 50,000 calls, emails and letters were received by the office of the Governor urging him to grant clemency to Grossman. Additionally, over 35,000 signatures were gathered on a petition on Care2, a website, as a means to grant clemency to Grossman. Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor and activist, Pope Benedict XVI, Chief Rabbis of Israel, and over 200 prominent organizations sent letters to the Governor to plead against Grossman's execution.[15]
Crist declined to overturn the decision to execute Grossman.

Execution

Grossman was executed by lethal injection at 6:00 p.m. EST on February 16, 2010. After being visited in the morning by an aunt and two female friends, he spent his final afternoon praying with his spiritual advisor, Rabbi Menachem Katz.[16]

Grossman did not request a last meal, but ordered a chicken sandwich, a can of fruit punch, and banana cream and peanut butter cookies from the prison canteen before his execution.[17]

In his final statement, Grossman said "I would like to extend my heartfelt remorse to the victim's family. I fully regret everything that occurred that night, for everything that was done, whether I remember it or not."

United States Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976.[20]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Florida ignores papal appeal for mercy". CathNewsUSA. 17 February 2010. Retrieved 18 February 2010.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ Berger, Paul (4 February 2010). "Death row inmate requests tefillin". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 18 February 2010.
  3. ^ Benhorin, Yitzhak (7 February 2010). "Florida rabbis seek to prevent Jew's execution". ynet.co.il. Retrieved 18 February 2010.
  4. ^ Solomont, E. B. (16 February 2010). "US Jews rush to stay execution". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 18 February 2010.
  5. ^ a b Full transcripts of Dr. Brad Fisher's report and evaluation of Grossman, including his psychological history[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ a b c "Execution Set In Death Of Fla. Wildlife Officer". clickorlando.com. 12 January 2010. Archived from the original on 26 June 2011. Retrieved 17 February 2010.
  7. ^ News article on Florida Supreme Court denying Grossman's appeal
  8. ^ "Opinions" (PDF).
  9. ^ "GROSSMAN v. CROSBY | 359 F.Supp.2d 1233 (2005) | 2d123311454". Leagle.com. 2005-01-31. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
  10. ^ "FindLaw's Supreme Court of Florida case and opinions".
  11. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-09-08. Retrieved 2014-03-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  12. Florida Supreme Court
  13. St. Petersburg Times. Archived from the original
    on 15 February 2010. Retrieved 17 February 2010.
  14. ^ a b Report on Grossman's execution[permanent dead link] from Associated Press via Bay News 9's website.[permanent dead link]
  15. ^ "Florida executes killer Martin Grossman". BBC News. February 17, 2010. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  16. ^ a b Story from WTSP in Florida
  17. ^ "Jewish death row inmate executed". The Jewish Chronicle. February 17, 2010. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  18. ^ Slideshow (2010-05-13). "Last Words Photo Gallery - - Crime Library". Trutv.com. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
  19. ^ Sarah Larimer (16 February 2010). "Fla. executes 45-year-old inmate for 1984 slaying". Associated Press. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
  20. ^ "Execution List: 1976 - present". Florida Department of Corrections. Retrieved 12 January 2019.

20. https://www.createspace.com/1000243192

External links

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