The U.S. Supreme Court rejected an appeal to halt the execution of Loran Cole, scheduled for Thursday at 6 pm. 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 will be the first in Florida since October.
The Crime
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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