Martin Edward Grossman was born on January 19, 1965. An only child, he assumed significant caregiving responsibilities for his mentally and physically ill father and uncle, leading to his withdrawal from school in the ninth grade. By age 15, Grossman had experienced the deaths of his father, uncle, grandfather, and other relatives, which contributed to severe depression. He turned to alcohol and various narcotics, including marijuana, PCP, Valium, and barbiturates.

Grossman’s addiction and emotional volatility worsened over time. By age 19, he had already secured a spot in the probation system for burglary and grand theft.

On December 13, 1984, 26-year-old wildlife officer Margaret “Peggy” Park encountered Grossman and 17-year-old acquaintance Thayne Taylor in a wooded area of Pinellas County, Florida. The duo was training with a stolen handgun. Grossman, worried that Officer Park would report him—the incident constituted multiple probation violations—began pleading with her not to call for help. When Park reached for her radio, Grossman struck her repeatedly with her flashlight. Amid the struggle, she fired a warning shot. In the altercation that followed, Grossman overpowered her, seized her handgun, and shot her once in the back of the head.

As Park attempted to radio for assistance, Grossman attacked her with her flashlight, and Taylor joined in the assault. Despite being overpowered, Park managed to fire a warning shot and kick Taylor. Grossman then seized her firearm and shot her in the back of the head, resulting in her death.

Both Grossman and Taylor were arrested shortly after. Grossman was convicted of first-degree murder, with the jury unanimously recommending the death penalty—he was sentenced accordingly in October 1985 (exact day unverified). Taylor received a third-degree murder conviction and served approximately 2 years and 10 months.

In the lead-up to his execution, Grossman garnered significant support for clemency, including over 29,000 signatures on petitions and tens of thousands of calls, emails, and letters addressed to Governor Charlie Crist. Appeals came from Pope Benedict XVI, Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, the Israel Chief Rabbinate, and Jewish organizations citing his Jewish faith, remorse, low IQ (77), drug addiction, and poor legal representation.

Legal efforts included habeas petitions and challenges arguing ineffective counsel and failure to present mental health evidence. These were denied by Florida courts and upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Nearly 50,000 communications urged clemency. The Jewish community was vocal: Elie Wiesel, Pope Benedict XVI, and the Chief Rabbis of Israel all intervened. Their pleas emphasized Grossman’s transformation from a troubled youth to a remorseful man of faith. However, Governor Crist declined clemency, and the execution proceeded as scheduled.

Grossman was executed by lethal injection on February 16, 2010. The death warrant was signed on January 12, 2010, and he was declared dead at 6:17 p.m. EST. In his final hours, he prayed with Rabbi Menachem Katz, recited the Jewish Shema, and expressed remorse.