US EditionMan in Florida Set to Be Executed for 1991 Murder of Fort Pierce Police Officer
Billy Leon Kearse is set for lethal injection on March 3 for killing Officer Danny Parrish during a 1991 traffic stop, as Florida continues record executions in 2025.
- Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a death warrant for Billy Leon Kearse, scheduling his execution by lethal injection on March 3, according to the Florida Supreme Court website.
- On Jan. 18, 1991, the killing of Fort Pierce Police Officer Danny Parrish occurred during a traffic stop after Billy Leon Kearse drove the wrong way; Kearse was convicted Oct. 22, 1991, and sentenced to death on March 24, 1997.
- Officer Danny Parrish ordered Kearse out of the car and attempted to handcuff him after Kearse gave several aliases and no driver’s license, then Kearse grabbed Parrish’s gun and fired 14 shots; a taxi driver who heard the shots saw the vehicle drive away.
- Defense attorneys are likely to mount legal challenges, and Thomas Bakkedahl said, `With Governor DeSantis’s courageous act, it is hoped that the Parrish family can finally find peace and repose.`
- Florida in 2025 set a modern-era record with 19 executions, and DeSantis has signed warrants for Ronald Heath and Melvin Trotter, scheduled next month.
13 Articles
13 Articles
DeSantis Signs Third Death Warrant of 2026 Following Record-Breaking Year
Governor Ron DeSantis signed a death warrant for Billy Leon Kearse, convicted of the 1991 murder of a Fort Pierce police officer. Kearse’s execution, scheduled for March 3, follows warrants for Ronald Heath and Melvin Trotter as Florida continues a rapid pace of executions after setting a state record last year. The post DeSantis Signs Third Death Warrant of 2026 Following Record-Breaking Year appeared first on FlaglerLive.
Florida Today
DeSantis signs death warrant for killer of Fort Pierce police officer in 1991
Fort Pierce Police Department Officer Danny Parrish was killed in 1991 while on duty
Sun-Sentinel
DeSantis signs death warrant for man convicted of killing Fort Pierce police officer
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday signed a death warrant for Billy Leon Kearse, 53, convicted of killing a Fort Pierce police officer during a 1991 traffic stop.
Gov. DeSantis signs death warrant for man convicted of killing Fort Pierce police officer in 1991
Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed the death warrant for Billy Leon Kearse, the man convicted of killing Sgt. Danny Parrish in January 1991.In 1991, Parrish, a Fort Pierce police officer, had stopped an 18-year-old driver for going the wrong way down a one-way street.As he attempted to arrest the teen for having no license, there was a struggle. The teen got hold of Parrish's gun and shot him repeatedly.Kearse was sentenced to death in 1997.The death …
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