Man Sentenced in Coral Springs Double-Murder Case Set to Be Executed

by Ryan Yousefi May 21, 2026

by Ryan Yousefi May 21, 2026 2 minutes read

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Richard Knight

A Florida death row inmate convicted in the 2000 murders of a Coral Springs woman and her 4-year-old daughter is scheduled to be executed Thursday evening.

State records show Richard Knight, 47, is set to receive a three-drug lethal injection beginning at 6:00 p.m. Knight was sentenced to death after being convicted in 2006 of two counts of first-degree murder in the killings of Odessia Stephens and her daughter, Hanessia Mullings.

According to court records, Knight had been living with his cousin, Stephens, and the young girl in Coral Springs in June 2000. Prosecutors said tensions grew inside the home over Knight’s continuing to stay there. On the night of the murders, while Knight’s cousin was at work, Stephens reportedly told Knight he needed to move out the next morning.

Authorities said Knight became enraged and repeatedly stabbed Stephens before turning his attention to the child, fatally attacking her as well.

Following his arrest, prosecutors said Knight later confessed to the killings to another inmate while housed at the Broward County Jail. That inmate testified during Knight’s trial.

Knight’s attorneys unsuccessfully appealed the conviction and death sentence for years. Last Friday, the Florida Supreme Court denied his latest appeals, rejecting arguments involving newly discovered evidence tied to an unidentified fingerprint found on a knife at the crime scene. The court ruled the fingerprint evidence had already been addressed during the original trial.

The court also denied challenges related to Florida’s execution procedures and death warrant process. A final appeal remained pending before the U.S. Supreme Court as of Thursday.

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Ryan Yousefi

Ryan Yousefi has lived in Coral Springs for over 30 years. He has worked as a writer for multiple outlets over the years, including the Miami New Times where he has covered sports and culture since 2013. He holds a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree in Business Healthcare Management from Western Governors University.