Bio

Richard Barry Randolph was born on March 3, 1962. He was adopted when he was just five months old. Randolph grew up in a household where he faced many challenges. His mother struggled with emotional issues and was hospitalized several times during his childhood. His father was known to be physically abusive, often disciplining Randolph in harsh ways.

In school, Randolph had trouble getting along with other kids. Because of this, he was referred to psychotherapy for help when he was in the third grade. Despite these struggles, he graduated from high school. After graduation, he decided to join the Army. However, he was honorably discharged due to issues with marijuana and crack cocaine use.

Randolph's early life was marked by instability and difficulties, shaped by his family background and personal experiences.

Murder Story

On August 15, 1988, Richard Barry Randolph, also known as Malik Abdul-Sajjad, was involved in a violent crime at a Handy-Way convenience store in Putnam County, Florida. He managed to lock the store's front door while wearing an employee shirt. Several women passing by asked about the store's closing and the store manager, Minnie Ruth McCollum. Randolph claimed that McCollum's car had broken down and that he was going to pick her up after fixing it. The women noticed something was not right when they looked through the window and saw the store in disarray.

They reported their concerns to the sheriff’s office. A deputy arrived, broke a window to enter the store, and found McCollum injured and bleeding. She was quickly transported to a hospital, where she was treated but later died from her injuries.

After leaving the convenience store, Randolph visited his girlfriend, Norma Janene Betts. He admitted to her that he had robbed the store and attacked McCollum. He also stated that he planned to borrow money and cash in lottery tickets. Not long after, he was arrested at a grocery store while waiting for money.

During police questioning, Randolph claimed that he had entered the store with a toy gun. He detailed how he had intended to rob the store but was confronted by McCollum. He recounted dragging her to a back room and striking her multiple times. When she regained consciousness, he strangled her and inflicted stab wounds. He expressed that he raped McCollum to make it look like a maniacal act. Randolph also tampered with evidence by removing the store's video camera and discarding it in the trash.

Medical examinations of McCollum showed that she suffered multiple head injuries and other serious wounds. She was declared brain dead six days after the attack.

Randolph faced multiple charges, including first-degree murder, armed robbery, and sexual battery with a deadly weapon. He was convicted on all counts in February 1989. The jury recommended the death penalty, which was formally imposed on April 5, 1989.

Randolph would later appeal his sentence multiple times, but his appeals were largely denied. He raised various arguments, including claims of ineffective assistance of counsel and due process violations. However, the courts found no basis for reversing his convictions or sentences in the subsequent reviews.

Richard Barry Randolph, also known as Malik Abdul-Sajjad, was executed in November 20, 2025 for the 1988 killing of Minnie Ruth McCollum in Putnam County, Florida.