Florida man convicted of killing 2 people outside a bar set to be put to death
Share and Follow

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

A Florida man who was convicted in the 1993 shooting deaths of a man and woman outside a bar as part of an attempted revenge killing is set to be executed on Tuesday.

Michael Bernard Bell, 54, is scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection at Florida State Prison near the city of Starke, unless he is granted a last-day reprieve.

Bell was convicted in 1995 and sentenced to death in the killings of Jimmy West and Tamecka Smith.

In December 1993, Bell spotted what he suspected was the car of the man who had killed his brother earlier that year, according to court records. Bell appeared to be unaware that the man had sold the car to West.

Florida State Prison

Michael Bell is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection at Florida State Prison near Starke on Tuesday. (AP)

He was also later convicted of three additional murders that happened prior to the shooting at the bar. He fatally shot a woman and her toddler in 1989, and he killed his mother’s boyfriend about four months before shooting West and Smith, officials said.

Attorneys for Bell have filed appeals with the Florida Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court.

In their state filing, the attorneys argued that Bell’s execution should be blocked because of newly discovered evidence concerning witness testimony. But justices unanimously rejected the argument last week, citing what they described as overwhelming evidence of Bell’s guilt.

Bell’s attorneys filed a similar petition with the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday, although the nation’s highest court has not yet issued a ruling as his execution time nears.

Penitentiary

Michael Bell would be the eighth person executed in Florida this year. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)

Bell would be the eighth person executed in Florida this year, and a ninth is scheduled for later this month. The state put six people to death in 2023, but only one execution happened last year.

Across the U.S., 25 men have been executed so far this year, matching last year’s total.

Florida has executed more people this year than any other state, while Texas and South Carolina are tied for second place with four each. The states that follow are Alabama with three executions and Oklahoma with two, while Arizona, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee each have put one person to death.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Trump tells families of Israeli hostages are 'all coming home Monday'

Trump Assures Israeli Hostage Families of Their Monday Return Home

Donald Trump told the families of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas that…
Barron set for top job as Trump takes control of platform used by 150m

Barron Poised for Leadership Role as Trump Gains Command of a 150 Million User Platform

Jack Advent, who previously produced content for President Donald Trump’s TikTok, celebrated…
Troubled Dem Katie Porter flips out on staffer in resurfaced video

Embattled Rep. Katie Porter Loses Her Cool with Staffer in Resurfaced Video

Aspiring California governor Katie Porter lost her temper at a staff member…
Buggy destroyed in crash in Adams County

Jeep Speeding Collides with Buggy Carrying 9 in Berne Accident

ADAMS COUNTY, Ind. (WANE) – A horse-drawn buggy with nine people –…
Video of Katie Porter screaming at staffer resurfaces

Viral Video Resurfaces of Katie Porter Yelling at Staff Member

() A video has resurfaced showing California gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter yelling…
Lauren Sanchez is unrecognizable in shocking throwback snap

Lauren Sanchez Looks Completely Different in Surprising Throwback Photo

Lauren Sanchez shared an inspiring message with her Instagram followers in recognition…
'Golden Bachelor' recap plus Monica B. muses on her time on show

“Recap of ‘Golden Bachelor’ and Monica B.’s Reflections on Her Experience”

NEW YORK — This episode of the “Golden Bachelor” started with a…
Testimony focuses on digital evidence in teen's murder trial

Testimony Highlights Digital Evidence in Teen’s Murder Case

The trial’s fourth day focused on digital evidence as jurors reviewed cellphone…