Bio

Pedro Luis Medina was born on October 5, 1957, in Cuba. He came to the United States during the 1980 Mariel boatlift, which brought thousands of Cuban refugees to Florida.

After arriving in the United States, Medina eventually lived in Orlando, Florida. Before the murder, Medina lived near Dorothy James, a 52-year-old former teacher. Public accounts state that James had shown kindness to Medina and had allowed him into her life as a neighbor.

Medina’s later case also involved claims about mental illness. His lawyers argued during appeals that he had serious mental-health issues, but the courts ultimately allowed his death sentence to stand.

Murder Story

On April 4, 1982, Dorothy James was found murdered in her Orlando, Florida apartment. She had been gagged and stabbed multiple times. Pedro Medina became a suspect after he was found four days later sleeping in James’s car near Lake City, Florida. He was arrested and later questioned about the murder.

Medina was convicted of first-degree murder and auto theft. The jury recommended the death penalty, and the court sentenced him to death. His lawyers appealed for years, including claims about his mental health, but the courts allowed the execution to go forward.

Pedro Medina was executed by electrocution at Florida State Prison on March 25, 1997. His final words were reported as, “I am still innocent.” During the execution, smoke and flames came from the electric-chair headpiece. The incident brought new attention to Florida’s use of the electric chair.