Full Breakdown
Florida Set to Execute Billy Leon Kearse for 1991 Murder of Officer Danny Parrish
3/3/2026, 12:18:53 PM
Execution Scheduled for March 3, 2026
Billy Leon Kearse, 53, is scheduled for execution on March 3, 2026, at 6 p.m. at Florida State Prison in Raiford. Kearse was convicted of the first-degree murder of Fort Pierce Police Officer Danny Parrish during a traffic stop on January 18, 1991. Kearse, then 18, shot Parrish with the officer's own service weapon, firing 14 rounds and striking him 13 times. Following his conviction in 1991, Kearse was sentenced to death in 1997 after a resentencing ordered by the Florida Supreme Court due to procedural errors in the initial trial.
Background of the Case
The incident occurred when Officer Parrish stopped Kearse for driving the wrong way on a one-way street. Kearse, unable to produce a valid driver's license, struggled with Parrish as the officer attempted to handcuff him. During the altercation, Kearse disarmed Parrish and shot him multiple times. The murder shocked the local community and led to a prolonged legal battle, with Kearse's case appearing before the Florida Supreme Court 11 times and the U.S. Supreme Court three times.
Official Statements & Responses
State Attorney Tom Bakkedahl expressed frustration over the lengthy legal process, stating, "This is a guilty man who's had due process on steroids." He emphasized the need for closure for Parrish's family, who have endured decades of waiting for justice. Mirtha Busbin, Parrish's widow, noted that while the execution may provide some closure, it cannot heal the emotional wounds caused by her husband's death. "You want that closure," she said, reflecting on the long wait for justice.
Criticism & Opposition
Kearse's defense team has argued against the execution on the grounds of his intellectual disability, claiming that recent assessments indicate he functions at a cognitive level that should exempt him from capital punishment. Advocacy groups have raised concerns about Florida's accelerated execution rate, with Kearse's execution being the third scheduled in 2026, following a record 19 executions in 2025. Critics argue that the state’s execution protocols may lead to complications and suffering.
Timeline of Events
- January 18, 1991: Officer Danny Parrish is fatally shot by Billy Leon Kearse during a traffic stop.
- October 1991: Kearse is convicted of first-degree murder and robbery with a firearm.
- 1997: Kearse is resentenced to death after the Florida Supreme Court orders a new sentencing.
- March 3, 2026: Kearse is scheduled for execution.
What's Next
Following Kearse's execution, two additional executions are scheduled in Florida for March: Michael Lee King on March 17 and James Aren Duckett on March 31. The state continues to face scrutiny over its execution practices and the implications of its death penalty policies.
Verbatim Quotes
- "This case went before the Florida Supreme Court no fewer than 11 times." — Tom Bakkedahl, State Attorney
- "It's kind of bittersweet... to get a final closure for the act that he did, the heinous act, it's very much needed." — Mirtha Busbin, Parrish's Widow
- "Billy Kearse never should have been sentenced to death—let alone executed." — Maria DeLiberato, Capital Defense Attorney
As Florida prepares for Kearse's execution, the case remains a focal point of discussion surrounding the death penalty and its implications for justice and closure for victims' families.
