Florida death row inmate Loran Cole’s attorneys have filed an appeal to the Florida Supreme Court, seeking to halt his execution scheduled for August 29th.
This move follows a Marion County judge’s rejection of their arguments against the death sentence just a day earlier.
Read: Florida Death Row Inmate Executed 35 Years After He Raped, Brutally Murdered Woman
Cole’s legal team contends that a new law offering compensation to victims of abuse at the Dozier School for Boys warrants a fresh review of his case, citing the trauma he endured there as a contributing factor to his crimes.
They argue that this law represents new evidence that could have swayed the jury’s decision in 1995.
However, the judge dismissed this claim, stating that Cole’s treatment at Dozier had been raised in previous appeals without success.
Cole, 57, was convicted in 1994 for the murder of a Florida State University student. He was 17 years old when he was sent to Dozier in 1984. His lawyers contend that the jury was not made aware of the “torturous treatment” Cole endured at the now-shuttered Marianna facility.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Android Users: Download our free app to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.