Ronald Palmer Heath was executed for the 1989 murder of Michael Sheridan, marking Florida’s initial execution for the year 2026.
On Tuesday, February 10, Ronald Palmer Heath received a lethal injection at approximately 6 pm at Florida State Prison located near Starke.
The 64-year-old had spent 35 years on death row following his conviction on several forgery charges, armed robbery, and first-degree murder in connection with the 1989 death of traveling salesman Michael Sheridan.
While Ronald was sentenced to death, his brother Kenneth secured a plea deal and testified against him. Kenneth received a life sentence without the possibility of parole for 25 years.
Though Kenneth is now eligible for parole, his brother’s execution proceeded via lethal injection. Ronald spoke briefly with a warden just before his death was confirmed at 6:12 pm.
When the warden inquired if he had any final words, Ronald expressed, as per NBC News and reported by Sky: “I’m sorry. That’s all I can say. Thank you.”
Court documents reveal that Ronald and Kenneth Heath encountered Sheridan at a Gainesville bar in May 1989.
Sheridan reportedly inquired about marijuana availability, prompting the brothers to hatch a plan to rob him, drawing him to a secluded location.
Kenneth held Sheridan at gunpoint, demanding his possessions. When Sheridan resisted, Kenneth shot him in the chest.
Sheridan then began to empty his pockets, but Ronald escalated the attack by kicking and stabbing him with a hunting knife.
Kenneth then delivered two shots to Sheridan’s head before they disposed of his body in a wooded area.
The brothers were caught after making purchases with Sheridan’s credit cards and returning to the bar to loot the salesman’s car.
Ronald was identified as the mastermind behind the robbery and murder, with records suggesting he directed Kenneth to shoot.
However, the FADP criticized Ronald’s execution, stating he was ‘put to death for a murder he did not commit,’ highlighting that it was Kenneth who ‘undisputedly’ pulled the ‘trigger’.
This execution is the first in Florida this year, following 19 executions in 2025.
FADP stated: “Tonight, Florida killed a man for a death he did not cause and in doing so created several more murder victims’ family members. And these new victims will never see their loved one’s killer brought to ‘justice.'”
Efforts have been made to obtain a statement from the Florida Department of Corrections.