Hillsborough killer faces court ruling as execution date approaches in Tampa.

TAMPA — Legal representatives for Glen Rogers, who is facing execution for a 1995 murder in Hillsborough County, have argued that his medical condition renders lethal injection a dangerous option, proposing alternative execution methods such as a firing squad or lethal gas. While Florida law currently prohibits these alternatives, this strategy signifies a last-ditch effort to prevent Rogers’s scheduled execution on May 15.

During a court hearing on Tuesday morning, Rogers’ attorneys articulated their concerns about his health, introducing claims that he was a victim of childhood sex trafficking as part of their argument to halt the execution. Glen Rogers, known as the “Casanova Killer,” has spent 28 years on death row after being convicted for the murder of Tina Marie Cribbs in Tampa.

In pursuit of a reprieve, Rogers’ legal counsel pointed to his diagnosis of porphyria, a disorder characterized by neurological dysfunction, skin sensitivity, and liver complications. They argue that the drug etomidate, used in Florida’s lethal injection protocol, could trigger severe symptoms—possibly leading to considerable pain during the execution. Citing the law, which requires condemned inmates to suggest alternative methods when challenging execution procedures, the defense proposed methods not currently permissible in Florida.

Although the electric chair remains a legal execution option in the state, it has not been utilized since 1999, with Rogers’ attorney claiming it is unnecessarily cruel. The defense underscored that these alternatives would be less violent than lethal injection.

The court hearing also revisited aspects of Rogers’ traumatic childhood, asserting that he endured sexual abuse from the age of 10 in Hamilton, Ohio. His attorney noted the growing awareness of child sex trafficking issues, suggesting that these revelations could influence a new jury’s recommendation regarding his sentencing.

Assistant Attorney General Stephen Ake contended that the defense’s arguments were neither novel nor timely, with Hillsborough Circuit Judge Michelle Sisco ultimately agreeing and denying a request for an evidentiary hearing on the matter.

Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed Rogers’ death warrant, establishing a strict 30-day timeline for pending appeals. Over the years, Rogers has been implicated in multiple homicides across the United States during the mid-1990s. His conviction in the murder of Tina Marie Cribbs stemmed from an incident where she was last seen with him at a local bar before her body was discovered two days later in a bathtub at a motel, registered under Rogers’ name.

As legal representatives prepare for future appeals, including potential arguments to the Florida Supreme Court, Rogers expressed a desire for conflict-free counsel to adequately represent him in the life-and-death situation. The court’s formal decision on the latest claims is expected shortly, paving the way for further legal proceedings that may extend to federal courts.

The case continues to explore the intersections of law, mental health, and the implications of childhood trauma in sentencing, revealing the complexities surrounding capital punishment in Florida.