As the United States continues to grapple with the moral, legal, and human consequences of the death penalty, two Florida cases stand as stark reminders of the urgency for mercy and accountability. Bryan Frederick Jennings and Malik Randolph—both U.S. military veterans—face scheduled executions in November 2025, highlighting the ongoing debate over justice, rehabilitation, and the absolute discretion vested in state officials over life and death.
Earlier today, the Florida Supreme Court denied all pending appeals for Bryan Frederick Jennings, whose execution is set for Thursday, November 13, just two days after Veterans Day. The decision now leaves the U.S. Supreme Court as his final recourse for any legal relief.
The Concentration of Life-and-Death Power
In its ruling, the Florida Supreme Court underscored a shocking fact about the state’s clemency system: the People of the State of Florida have placed “sole, unrestricted, unlimited discretion exclusively in the executive in exercising this act of grace.” This immense power rests entirely in the hands of Governor Ron DeSantis and his cabinet, which currently includes Attorney General James Uthmeier, Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia, and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson.
These same officials not only signed and defended Bryan’s death warrant but also supported the 2023 law restoring non-unanimous death sentences and have publicly championed the expansion of capital punishment. In other words, the odds of mercy are stacked against Bryan from the outset.
The case underscores a painful reality: while the crime he committed was horrific, a complete understanding of Bryan’s life story—including his severe substance use disorder, decades of personal growth during 46 years on death row, and the fact that his state court counsel was only appointed after his death warrant was signed—has not been fully considered. The clemency process, in its current form, offers no guarantee of fairness, reflection, or compassion.
Yet, the Court’s decision also reminds us that mercy remains within the power of Governor DeSantis. At any moment, for any reason, the execution could be halted. This makes every act of public advocacy—letters, petitions, vigils, and calls for clemency—critical.
Vigils and Public Action
Should Bryan’s execution proceed, organizations such as Florida Death Penalty Abolition (FADP) and allied groups will organize simultaneous vigils and protests across the state. These events are planned not only at Florida State Prison in Raiford, but also at multiple local venues and virtual gatherings hosted by Death Penalty Action and FADP. Every presence, every shared message, and every act of solidarity matters in amplifying the call for mercy.
Malik Randolph: Another Veteran at Risk
Just one week after Bryan’s scheduled execution, U.S. Army Veteran Richard “Malik” Randolph (Malik Abdul-Sajjad) is set to die on Thursday, November 20, marking Florida’s seventeenth execution of the year—continuing a pace not seen in centuries.
Malik’s early life was marked by profound trauma. Adopted into an abusive household, he endured beatings, confinement, and verbal cruelty. Though he served honorably in the military, he struggled with unhealed trauma and eventually turned to addiction to cope. In 1988, Malik committed a crime for which he was sentenced to death.
Yet decades of incarceration have transformed him. Now 63, living with systemic lupus and declining health, Malik has embraced Islamic faith, mentoring, and rehabilitation, demonstrating that the person behind the sentence is far from the individual who entered death row over three decades ago.
Like Bryan, Malik’s fate now lies with the Florida Board of Executive Clemency, the same body that has the legal power to grant mercy but has historically shown limited willingness to do so. Public action can still influence the outcome, whether through letters, petitions, or participation in vigils.
The Broader Context: Florida’s Death Penalty in Crisis
These cases highlight the systemic issues with Florida’s death penalty. Executions have accelerated to rates not seen in generations, fueled by legislation restoring non-unanimous death sentences and a state leadership committed to expansion rather than restraint. Veterans and non-veterans alike face a system where political discretion often outweighs rehabilitation, human growth, or systemic inequities.
This year’s surge in executions is part of a broader national trend. The federal government’s renewed pursuit of capital punishment compounds these challenges, underscoring the urgent need for advocacy, education, and public witness.
Supporting Those on Death Row: #HolidayRowWriters
Even as executions loom, organizations like Death Penalty Focus (DPF) provide tangible ways for the public to support individuals on death row. One such initiative is #HolidayRowWriters, a program delivering holiday cards to the 565 people currently sentenced to death in California.
Participation is simple:
- Contact DPF at information@deathpenalty.org to receive an incarcerated individual’s mailing address.
- Write your card using only the DPF office as the return address (do not include your personal address).
- Brighten a life through connection, acknowledgment, and compassion during the holiday season.
Small gestures of humanity—cards, letters, or petitions—serve as a reminder that even within the most violent and isolating system, acts of care can make a difference.
The Moral Imperative
The cases of Bryan Jennings and Malik Randolph compel us to confront the moral contradictions of capital punishment. Both men are veterans who have endured decades of incarceration, personal transformation, and physical decline. Their lives underscore the broader questions we must ask as a society:
- Should a system that allows sole discretion in life-and-death matters continue unchallenged?
- How do we weigh rehabilitation, trauma, and personal growth against past crimes?
- Can public advocacy, vigils, and petitions influence decisions in a system designed to favor execution over mercy?
At Sustainable Action Now, we argue that justice is not solely about retribution. It is about accountability, humanity, and the recognition that people can change and that mercy matters.
For more information on these cases, ways to take action, and broader advocacy against the death penalty, visit our Death Penalty section.
Take Action Today:
- Sign petitions urging clemency for Bryan Jennings and Malik Randolph.
- Join vigils, both in-person and virtual, to bear witness and amplify calls for mercy.
- Participate in #HolidayRowWriters to send messages of hope to those on death row.
- Educate others about the systemic inequities in Florida’s death penalty system.
Every voice matters. Every act of compassion counts. The future of these two veterans—and the moral integrity of our justice system—depends on public awareness, advocacy, and action.
