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
Davos 2026: Trump speaks at World Economic Forum, where his quest to own Greenland could overshadow his other goals

Trump’s Greenland Ambitions Take Center Stage at Davos 2026 World Economic Forum Speech

ZURICH, Switzerland — President Donald Trump addressed the World Economic Forum with…
Trial of NJ tech boss accused of murdering brother takes ‘Sopranos’-like turn

NJ Tech Executive’s Murder Trial Unveils Shocking ‘Sopranos’-Style Twist

A sound he couldn’t ignore reverberated in his mind. The courtroom drama…
Ex-Nickelodeon star Amanda Bynes reveals exciting new career change

From Nickelodeon Icon to Creative Visionary: Amanda Bynes Unveils Her Thrilling New Career Path

Amanda Bynes has caught her followers off guard with an unexpected dive…
FILE - Health department staff members enter the Andrews County Health Department measles clinic carrying doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Andrews, Texas. (AP Photo/Annie Rice, File)

U.S. Faces Potential Loss of Measles Elimination Status: Understanding the Implications

A year has passed since a measles outbreak erupted in West Texas,…
Georgia teen Lequan Stephens arrested after father turns him in following pair of shootings

Georgia Teen’s Arrest: Father Turns in Son After Involvement in Twin Shootings

In a turn of events that underscores the complexity of familial ties…
Melissa Gilbert seen in court for her husband's pretrial hearing

Melissa Gilbert’s Courtroom Stand: Supporting Her Husband at High-Profile Pretrial Hearing

Melissa Gilbert, renowned for her role in “Little House on the Prairie,”…
GCPD: One injured after domestic dispute turns into shooting in Brunswick

Brunswick Shooting: Domestic Dispute Escalates, Leaving One Injured – Latest Updates Inside

The Glynn County Police Department continues to actively investigate the incident. BRUNSWICK,…
Arrest made in connection to stabbing at Brunswick home, police say

Police Arrest Suspect Linked to Brunswick Home Stabbing Incident

Grace Freeman, aged 33, is currently facing multiple charges, including aggravated assault,…