Florida Prepares for First Execution of 2026
Ronald Palmer Heath, a 64-year-old man convicted of the 1989 murder of traveling salesman Michael Sheridan, is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. The execution is set to take place at 6 p.m. at Florida State Prison near Starke, marking the state's first execution of the year.
Governor Ron DeSantis signed the death warrant for Heath. This follows a year in which Florida carried out a record 19 executions in 2025, the highest number overseen by any Florida governor since the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976.
Details of the 1989 Murder
Heath was convicted in 1990 of first-degree murder, robbery with a deadly weapon, and multiple forgery charges related to the slaying of Michael Sheridan. According to court records, Heath and his brother, Kenneth Heath, met Sheridan at the Purple Porpoise Lounge in Gainesville in May 1989.
The brothers reportedly plotted to rob Sheridan. Ronald Heath drove the three men to a remote area in Alachua County. There, Kenneth Heath pulled a handgun on Sheridan. When Sheridan initially resisted, Kenneth Heath shot him in the chest. As Sheridan began to empty his pockets, Ronald Heath reportedly kicked him and stabbed him with a hunting knife. Kenneth Heath then shot Sheridan twice in the head. The brothers subsequently dumped Sheridan's body in a wooded area, took items from his rental car, and made multiple purchases with his credit cards the following day.
Kenneth Heath was also charged in connection with Sheridan's murder but received a life sentence as part of a plea agreement, during which he agreed to testify against his brother.
Prior Conviction and Legal Challenges
Ronald Heath had a prior conviction for second-degree murder in 1977, for which he was sentenced to 30 years in prison. He was paroled in 1988 after serving approximately 10 years and murdered Michael Sheridan six months later.
Heath's death sentence was issued despite a 10-2 jury recommendation for death. His case has been cited by advocacy groups as reflecting 'systemic failures' within Florida's death penalty system, including disparities between co-defendants and non-unanimous jury recommendations.
The scheduled execution comes amidst ongoing legal scrutiny of Florida's lethal injection protocol. Death row prisoners, including Heath, have filed claims alleging that the state has repeatedly deviated from its own execution procedures, including the alleged use of expired drugs, incorrect dosages, and unqualified personnel. Florida utilizes a three-drug protocol for lethal injection, with etomidate as the initial anesthetic, a drug unique to Florida among states using lethal injection.
5 Comments
Donatello
Justice for Michael Sheridan is paramount, and Heath's actions were horrific. Yet, the fact that advocacy groups cite this case for 'systemic failures' suggests there are deeper issues with Florida's death penalty that need reform, not just more executions.
Raphael
On one hand, Heath's history as a repeat violent offender makes a strong case for his execution. On the other hand, reports of systemic failures and questionable execution procedures mean we need to scrutinize how these sentences are carried out.
Africa
Governor DeSantis is doing what's right. Criminals need to face consequences.
ZmeeLove
The death penalty is state-sanctioned murder. It solves nothing and risks innocent lives.
Muchacho
The victim's family deserves peace, and Heath clearly committed a terrible crime. But the disparity in sentencing between him and his brother, who was also involved, highlights significant inconsistencies in our justice system.