William Thomas Zeigler Jr., known as Tommy, was born on July 25, 1945. He grew up in a family that owned a furniture store in Winter Garden, Florida. His father, William Thomas Zeigler Sr., was a respected local businessman.

On December 24, 1975, four people were murdered at a furniture store in Winter Garden, Florida. The victims were Eunice Zeigler, her parents Perry and Virginia Edwards, and a customer named Charlie Mays. The crime scene showed violent actions. Eunice Zeigler and Virginia Edwards were shot, while Perry Edwards and Charlie Mays were killed with a metal crank.

Tommy Zeigler was also shot in the abdomen during this event. Prosecutors believed he shot himself to make it appear as if three other men had committed the crimes during a robbery. These men, Edward Williams and Felton Thomas, later testified against him.

A few days after the murders, while recovering in the hospital, Tommy Zeigler was arrested and charged. The prosecution argued that Tommy took out two life insurance policies on his wife worth $500,000 shortly before the murders, suggesting a financial motive.

In July 1976, after a trial held in Jacksonville due to media attention, Zeigler was found guilty of the murders. He received the death penalty for his wife's murder and that of Charlie Mays. He was also sentenced to life in prison for the deaths of his in-laws.

Zeigler's trial and conviction faced significant criticism. Many pointed to issues about the trial's fairness. An eyewitness for the prosecution later recanted parts of his testimony, raising further questions about the case.

Over the years, Tommy Zeigler faced multiple execution dates, but his sentences were delayed due to new evidence and legal issues. His death sentence was overturned in 1988, but he was re-sentenced to death. Requests for new trials and DNA tests were made over time, but often were denied.

In May 2021, there was a breakthrough when a prosecutor agreed to allow new DNA testing. The Florida Supreme Court later ruled that this testing should proceed, and DNA testing permission was granted in December 2022. Tommy Zeigler remains incarcerated at the Union Correctional Institution in Raiford, Florida.