Justice was finally served this week in Florida. Curtis Windom, found guilty of killing three people in 1992, was executed on Thursday evening. This marks the 11th execution in Florida this year — the most the state has ever carried out in a single year. While some may argue against the death penalty, this case is a firm reminder that justice delayed is not always justice denied.
Windom’s crimes were cruel and calculated. He murdered his girlfriend, Valerie Davis, her mother Mary Lubin, and a man named Johnnie Lee. Why? Because he believed Lee owed him money. But instead of using the law or walking away, Windom went out and bought a gun. He hunted down Lee, shot him in the back, and then stood over him and fired again. After that, he shot his girlfriend and her mother. These were not accidents. They were deliberate choices made by a man full of hate.
Some say the death penalty is too harsh. Others argue it doesn’t bring back the victims. That is true. But the death penalty is not about revenge. It is about justice. In our Constitution, the Fifth Amendment allows for the taking of life — but only through due process of law. That means a fair trial, a jury of peers, and every chance to appeal. Windom had all of that. In fact, it took over 30 years to carry out the sentence. He had lawyers, appeals, and reviews all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court. Yet in the end, the courts agreed: the sentence was fair and lawful.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has shown courage and leadership in following through on justice. Too often, governors shy away from signing death warrants, even after all legal appeals are complete. That allows dangerous criminals to live out their days behind bars while families of victims wait for closure. In this case, Kemene Hunter, the sister of Valerie Davis, said it best: “All I want to say is, it took 33 years to get some closure.” Justice may move slowly, but it must move forward.
Some have sympathy for Windom’s daughter, who asked the governor to stop the execution. Her plea was emotional, and her forgiveness is her choice. But mercy from a family member does not erase the law. The government must represent all the people — not just the family of the criminal. Justice must be blind. If the law says a murderer deserves to die for his crimes, and the courts agree, then the state must carry out its duty.
Windom’s lawyers tried many tactics over the years. They said he had mental issues. They blamed his lawyer during the trial. But the Florida Supreme Court looked at all the facts. They ruled that even if those claims had been raised earlier, they would not have changed the outcome. In fact, prosecutors had evidence that Windom was a drug dealer and that the women he killed were informants. That only made things worse for him. The U.S. Supreme Court also denied his final appeal. The law was followed. Justice was done.
Since 1976, when the Supreme Court brought back the death penalty, states like Florida have taken their duty seriously. This year, Florida leads the nation in executions. Some say that is a bad thing. But we say it is a sign of strength. A lawful society must protect its people. That means punishing the worst crimes with the strongest consequence the law allows.
The Founders of this nation believed in law and order. They knew that liberty cannot survive without justice. When someone takes an innocent life, they forfeit their own right to live. That is not cruel. That is constitutional.
In the end, Curtis Windom made his choice in 1992. It took over three decades, but the state finally upheld its promise to the victims and their families. In Florida, justice still means something. And that is something worth defending.
