James Dennis Ford was born on July 23, 1960. He had a difficult childhood. His father struggled with alcoholism, and when Ford was just 14 years old, his mother abandoned the family. Despite these challenges, he remained close to his father. After Ford dropped out of school, he began working as a cemetery caretaker alongside his dad.

Ford's father passed away when he was in his early 20s. This loss deeply affected him. Friends and his first wife noted that his father's death marked the beginning of Ford's own struggles with alcohol. He started drinking in his late teens and at one point consumed as many as 24 cans of beer a day.

On April 6, 1997, James Dennis Ford murdered Gregory Philip Malnory Jr. and Kimberly Ann Malnory at a fish farm in Charlotte County, Florida. Ford had invited the couple for a fishing trip. The Malnorys arrived with their 22-month-old daughter, Maranda. After they arrived, Ford attacked them with a rifle. He shot Greg in the head and then bludgeoned him with a blunt object before slitting his throat.

Kimberly was injured but managed to put her daughter in the truck's backseat. However, Ford caught up with her. He raped Kimberly, then killed her with the rifle. The next day, workers found the bodies of Greg and Kimberly. Maranda was found alive but dehydrated in the truck, having been left alone for over 18 hours.

Ford was arrested on April 17, 1997, as he was the last person known to be with the couple. His statements about the events were inconsistent, leading investigators to suspect his involvement. He was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and other serious offenses on April 18, 1997.

At his trial, evidence included DNA samples that matched Ford and the murder weapon linked to him. After deliberation, the jury found Ford guilty of both murders, child abuse, and sexual battery. On June 3, 1999, Ford was sentenced to death.

Over the years, Ford filed multiple appeals against his conviction and sentence, but each was denied. Finally, on January 10, 2025, a death warrant was signed for his execution, which was scheduled for February 13, 2025. As that date approached, Ford made several last attempts to avoid execution, all of which failed.

On February 13, 2025, James Dennis Ford was executed by lethal injection at the Florida State Prison. He was 64 years old. Ford requested a final meal and declined to make a last statement.