Miami-Dade Killer Executed For Brutal 1992 Murder

STARKE, FL — Shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court refused to issue a stay of execution, Miami-Dade killer Jose Antonio Jimenez was put to death Thursday night by lethal injection. Jimenez was pronounced dead at 9:48 p.m.

The planned 6 p.m. start of the execution was delayed for a time Thursday as prison officials awaited a ruling on a stay request by the U.S. Supreme Court.

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The justices denied a stay request without comment Thursday night, clearing the way for the death sentence to be carried out at Florida State Prison in Starke.

The 55-year-old Jimenez was visited Thursday by a spiritual adviser and ate a last meal that included a Cuban sandwich, eggs, French fries and ice cream.

According to corrections officials, there have been 28 executions since Scott took office in 2011, including Jimenez.

That’s the most of any Florida governor since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976.

Jimenez was given the death sentence on Dec. 14, 1994 in connection with the Oct. 2, 1992 slaying of 63-year-old Phyllis Minas.

"Neighbors heard the victim screaming during the attack, and attempted to enter her residence through her unlocked front door, but Jimenez slammed the door shut, locked it, and fled out of the rear balcony of the apartment," state officials said. "The victim was still alive when rescue workers arrived on scene, but died of her eight stab wounds shortly thereafter. Fingerprints found inside the victim’s apartment were matched to Jimenez, and he was arrested several days later."

At the time of Minas’ murder, Jimenez was on community control for a felony conviction three months prior to the attack, according to state officials.

In 1994, Jimenez was also convicted of a prior burglary and homicide, in which he robbed and murdered Marie Debas in her apartment in 1990, officials added.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Photo courtesy Florida Department of Corrections