Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a death warrant for Edward James, who was convicted of the brutal 1993 murders of Betty Dick and 8-year-old Toni Neuner. The execution is scheduled for Thursday, March 20th, at 6 p.m.
James, who rented a room in Dick’s home, committed the heinous crimes after a night of partying.
He strangled young Toni Neuner, sexually assaulted her, and then attacked Betty Dick, stabbing her multiple times. He also tied up another one of Dick’s grandchildren who witnessed the attack.
READ: Florida Executes Inmate James Ford For 1997 Sod Farm Double Murders
After the murders, James fled the state in Dick’s car, eventually being apprehended in California a month later. He confessed to the crimes in two videotaped statements to police.
The death warrant, signed by Governor DeSantis, sets in motion the final steps in the legal process for James’ execution.
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.
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.