Bio

Douglas Ray Meeks was born on June 28, 1953. He was originally from Mississipp. Before the 1974 murders, Meeks had minor arrests in Mississippi for fighting and trespassing. By 1974, Meeks was in Perry, Florida. He later became connected to Homer Lee Hardwick Jr., who was charged with him in the Lloyd Walker murder case. Hardwick was convicted for his role in that crime but received life sentences instead of the death penalty.

Murder Story

Douglas Ray Meeks was connected to two robbery murders in Perry, Florida, in 1974. The first murder happened in October 1974 at the Majik Market convenience store. Prosecutors said Meeks robbed the store and fatally stabbed store clerk Chevis Thompson with a knife.

The second murder happened on November 6, 1974, at the Jr. Food Store. Meeks and Homer Hardwick entered the store during a robbery. Meeks pointed a gun at cashier Diane Allen, while Hardwick grabbed customer Lloyd Walker. Allen gave Meeks about $35 from the cash register.

After taking the money, the robbers forced Allen and Walker to the back of the store and told them to lie face down. Meeks then fired several shots before leaving. Walker died from gunshot wounds, but Allen survived and later testified against him.

Meeks was arrested on November 12, 1974. He was convicted in the Lloyd Walker case on March 12, 1975, and sentenced to death. He was also convicted separately for the murder of Chevis Thompson and received another death sentence. His case went through many appeals over the following decades. His death sentences were later reviewed because of issues involving sentencing procedures and mitigating evidence.

By 2017, public reports stated that Meeks was no longer expected to remain on death row after an agreed sentence of life imprisonment.