Loran K. Cole was executed today at Florida State Prison for the 1994 murder of John Edwards. This marks the end of a three-decade legal battle that included a final, unsuccessful attempt to halt the execution based on claims of past abuse and current health concerns, including Parkinson’s disease.
Cole was pronounced dead at 6:15 pm.
Cole’s body visibly trembled for several minutes as he lay strapped to the gurney, observed by 19 witnesses, including two guards, four Corrections Department communications staff, and seven journalists, according to the Tallahassee Democrat.
The U.S. Supreme Court rejected an appeal Thursday to halt the execution. Cole was sentenced to death for the 1994 murder of a Florida State University student.
Cole’s attorneys had argued that his Parkinson’s disease would make the lethal injection process needlessly painful, violating his constitutional rights.
However, the Florida Attorney General’s office countered that Cole had known about his condition for years and had delayed raising this issue until his execution was imminent.
Related :Florida Gov. DeSantis Signs Death Warrant For Inmate Convicted In 1994 Murder Of FSU Student
The Florida Supreme Court had previously upheld a lower court’s decision to reject Cole’s arguments. Cole’s attorneys had also raised concerns about the abuse he suffered as a teenager, but these were also dismissed.
Cole’s execution is the first in Florida since October 2023.
The Brutal Murder
In 1994, a camping trip in the Ocala National Forest turned into a horrific tragedy. John Edwards, a Florida State University student, was camping with his sister when they encountered Loran Cole and William Paul. The two men joined the siblings at their campsite, but their intentions were far from friendly.
As the group walked to a nearby pond, Cole attacked Edwards’ sister, ultimately handcuffing her. Paul led her away, while Cole brutally murdered Edwards, slashing his throat and fracturing his skull. Edwards’ sister was also sexually assaulted and left tied to trees, managing to free herself the next morning.
This senseless act of violence cut short a promising young life and left a family devastated. Cole’s actions led to his conviction and death sentence.
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