A Florida man convicted of fatally stabbing his cousin's girlfriend and the couple's 4-year-old daughter was put to death Thursday evening, becoming the seventh person executed by the state this year. Richard Knight, 47, was pronounced dead at 6:13 p.m. Eastern Time following a three-drug injection at Florida State Prison near Starke. The execution proceeded promptly at the scheduled 6:00 p.m. time, with Knight already strapped down and an IV line in place.
Details of the 2002 Crime
Knight was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder in the June 2002 killings of Odessia Stephens and her daughter, Hanessia Mullings. According to court records, Knight had been living in Coral Springs, near Fort Lauderdale, with his cousin, his cousin's girlfriend, and their daughter in June 2000. Knight and Stephens frequently argued about Knight living there. One evening while Knight's cousin was at work, Stephens told Knight that he would need to move out the next morning. Knight became angry and stabbed Stephens multiple times and then attacked the young girl, officials said.
While being held at the Broward County Jail following his arrest, Knight confessed the killings to another inmate, who testified against Knight during his trial. The Florida Supreme Court denied Knight's appeals last Friday, rejecting his claim of newly discovered evidence and pointing out that an unidentified fingerprint found on a knife at the murder scene was known about and addressed during Knight's original trial. The court also rejected claims based on Florida's execution protocols and warrant process.
Context of Florida's Execution Record
This execution marks a significant moment in Florida's capital punishment history. It was Florida's seventh execution so far this year, following a state record 19 executions in 2025. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis oversaw more executions in a single year in 2025 than any other Florida governor since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. The previous record was set in 2014 with eight executions. A total of 47 people were executed in the U.S. in 2025, with Florida leading the way with a flurry of death warrants signed by DeSantis.
During the execution, Knight was asked by the warden if he wished to make a last statement. He declared, "I want to give thanks to Yahweh, who is the most high." The execution began immediately after that. Knight closed his eyes and barely moved as the drugs began entering his system. After about 10 minutes, a medic was called into the room and the inmate was declared dead. All Florida executions are carried out via lethal injection of a sedative, a paralytic, and a drug that stops the heart, according to the Department of Corrections.
Upcoming Executions
Another execution is planned in Florida on June 2. Andrew Richard Lukehart, 53, was convicted of fatally beating his girlfriend's infant daughter in 1996. Meanwhile, a planned execution of Tennessee inmate Tony Carruthers was called off earlier Thursday after officials established the main IV line but could not find a suitable vein for a backup line as required. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced the state would not try again for at least a year to execute Carruthers, who was convicted of murdering three people.
