Edward James will be executed Thursday evening at Florida State Prison for the 1993 murders of a Seminole County woman and her 8-year-old granddaughter after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected an 11th-hour stay of execution.
The Supreme Court, in its standard practice, did not provide an explanation for its decision. James, 63, will be executed at 8 pm.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued a death warrant for James on February 18th, following his conviction for the murders of Betty Dick and her granddaughter Toni Neuner. James, who had rented a room from Dick, committed the heinous crimes after a night of heavy drinking and drug use.
READ: Florida Death Row Inmate Loran K. Cole Executed After 30 Years: Final Moments Witnessed By 19
According to court documents, James entered the Seminole County residence, strangled the young girl, and sexually assaulted her. He then proceeded to Dick’s bedroom, where he fatally stabbed her.
James’ execution will mark the second in Florida this year.
James Ford was executed on February 13th for the 1997 murders of a couple in Charlotte County. Governor DeSantis has also signed a death warrant for Michael Tanzi, scheduled for execution on April 8th for a 2000 murder in Monroe County.
The lead-up to James’ execution date was marked by intense legal battles.
His attorney, Dawn Macready, filed appeals with the U.S. Supreme Court after the Florida Supreme Court and the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied previous attempts to halt the execution.
RELATED: Last-Minute Appeal Filed With U.S. Supreme Court To Halt Florida Execution
Macready argued that James suffered from “cognitive decline” due to years of drug and alcohol abuse, multiple head injuries, and a near-fatal heart attack in 2023.
She presented a CT scan as “newly discovered evidence” suggesting brain damage from oxygen deprivation during the heart attack.
The Florida Attorney General’s Office countered these arguments, urging the U.S. Supreme Court to deny the stay of execution and any further legal proceedings.
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