If you’ve spent any time scouring the darker corners of Florida’s legal history, the name William "Tommy" Zeigler probably rings a bell. It’s one of those cases that feels like it was ripped from a movie—a Christmas Eve bloodbath at a furniture store, 30 bullets fired, and a death row sentence that has lasted for nearly half a century.
Honestly, the short answer is yes. Tommy Zeigler is still in jail. As of early 2026, he remains the longest-serving inmate on Florida’s death row. He is currently 80 years old. He’s frail, often uses an oxygen tank, and has spent over 49 years behind bars for a crime he swears he didn't commit. But the story doesn't stop at "he's still there." In fact, the case is currently more alive than it has been since 1976.
Why the Tommy Zeigler case is suddenly back in the headlines
For decades, Zeigler’s legal team fought a brick wall trying to get modern DNA testing on the evidence from the 1975 quadruple murder. The State of Florida fought back just as hard. It was a stalemate that felt like it would only end when Zeigler eventually passed away in prison.
Then things shifted.
In late 2025 and into January 2026, a massive legal showdown took place in an Orlando courtroom. After years of blocked motions, a judge finally allowed specialized DNA testing on about 200 items from the crime scene—including fingernail clippings, clothing, and the guns used in the murders.
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What the new DNA results actually show
The defense team, led by longtime attorney Terry Hadley, recently dropped a bombshell in their latest filings. They claim the new DNA analysis of the clothing worn by the victims and Zeigler himself doesn't fit the prosecution's 50-year-old narrative.
- The Blood Spatter Issue: Prosecutors originally argued Zeigler beat his father-in-law to death. However, the new testing reportedly shows none of the victim's blood on Zeigler's shirt in the patterns you'd expect from such a violent struggle.
- The "Unknown" DNA: There are reports of DNA from unidentified males on several key pieces of evidence.
- The Health Factor: During the December 2025 hearings, Zeigler was wheeled into court looking extremely diminished. He’s basically fighting for his life while his lawyers fight for his name.
What really happened at Zeigler Furniture on Christmas Eve?
To understand why people are still obsessed with this case, you have to look at how weird the original trial was. On December 24, 1975, four people were killed inside Zeigler’s furniture store in Winter Garden: his wife Eunice, her parents Perry and Virginia Edwards, and a customer named Charlie Mays.
Zeigler was also shot. He was nearly killed by a bullet to the stomach.
The prosecution's theory? They claimed Zeigler lured everyone there to collect a $500,000 life insurance policy on his wife. They said he shot himself to make it look like a robbery. Zeigler’s story has never changed: he says he walked into his own store, got hit over the head, and was attacked by a group of men. He says he grabbed a gun from his desk to defend himself and Charlie Mays—the "customer"—was actually one of the intruders.
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The red flags that won't go away
You've got to admit, the trial had some "only in Florida" level problems.
- The Judge: Judge Maurice Paul actually testified against Zeigler in a totally unrelated case before this trial even started. He didn't recuse himself.
- The Jury: The jury actually recommended a life sentence. The judge overrode them and gave Zeigler the death penalty anyway.
- The Meds: There are long-standing claims that a juror who wanted to vote "not guilty" was given Valium by the court to "calm her down," after which she changed her vote to guilty. Kinda wild, right?
Is tommy zeigler still in jail because of "bad" science?
Back in '76, DNA testing wasn't even a thing. They used blood typing—basically just checking if someone was Type A or Type B. It was primitive.
The state's star witnesses, Edward Williams and Felton Thomas, had stories that shifted over time. Williams claimed Zeigler handed him a gun and tried to shoot him, but the gun misfired. Thomas claimed they went to an orange grove to practice shooting before the murders. The defense now argues that the DNA proves these men were much more involved than they let on.
What happens next for Florida’s oldest death row inmate?
Right now, we are in a "wait and see" period. The judge is currently reviewing hundreds of pages of expert testimony and DNA data from the late 2025 hearings.
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If the judge decides the new evidence "undermines confidence" in the original verdict, Zeigler could get a new trial. Given his age and health, a new trial might actually mean he gets released on bond while the state decides if they even want to retry an 80-year-old for a 50-year-old crime.
If the judge denies the motion, Zeigler will likely spend his remaining days in the hospital wing of the prison.
Actionable Insights for True Crime Followers:
- Track the Ruling: Keep an eye on the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. A ruling on the "Successive Motion for Post-Conviction Relief" is expected in early-to-mid 2026.
- Read the Medill Justice Project: They did an incredible deep dive into the ballistics that contradicts the state's "self-inflicted wound" theory.
- Follow the DNA: The specific lab involved, Serological Research Institute (SERI), is the same one that has helped exonerate dozens of others. Their findings will be the "make or break" for Zeigler.
It’s a messy, tragic, and incredibly complicated story. Whether you believe he’s a cold-blooded killer or a victim of a massive frame-up, the reality is that the clock is ticking. For Tommy Zeigler, justice—whatever that looks like—needs to hurry up.