A man who was found guilty more than thirty years ago of killing a mother was put to death on death row today. Mark Allen Geralds, aged 58, became the 18th individual executed on death row in Florida this year. Following a three-drug injection at a jail, Geralds made a brief statement expressing regret and love before his execution. He was convicted of murdering Tressa Pettibone in her home over 36 years ago, a crime discovered by her son upon returning from school in Panama City, Florida.
After the execution, a spokesperson read a statement on behalf of Pettibone’s family expressing relief and closure after nearly four decades of legal battles. They described Pettibone as a devoted wife, mother, and friend, emphasizing her love for family and the holiday season. Geralds, a carpenter who had done work at Pettibone’s residence, was connected to the crime through pawned jewelry and evidence found in his possession. He was initially sentenced to death in 1990, with the sentence later being confirmed in 1992 following legal proceedings.