Man convicted of murder, rape executed in Florida

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Thursday marked the execution of a Florida man who had been found guilty of the 1994 camping trip rape of the victim’s elder sister and the vicious murder of the college student.

At Florida State Prison, Loran Cole, 57, was given a fatal injection and declared dead at 18:15 local time (23:15 BST).

Cole was serving two life sentences for the rape of John Edwards’ 21-year-old sister, Pam, who was a senior at Eckerd College. Cole was also sentenced to death for the murder of Florida State University student John Edwards, who was 18 years old.

Cole’s last appeal against the death penalty was rejected by the US Supreme Court earlier on Thursday. Cole’s defense team contended that despite having a diagnosis of mental illness, Parkinson’s disease, and brain damage, should not be executed.

They asserted that the execution could not be carried out humanely because of his Parkinson’s symptoms, which would “make it impossible.”

Attorney General Ashley Moody of Florida responded in a legal brief, pointing out that although Cole had known about his Parkinson’s disease for at least seven years, he had only brought it up after his execution date was set.

Cole’s appeal was denied by the Supreme Court without a reason, as is customary in instances involving the death penalty.

When asked for his final comments, Cole said, “No, sir,” declining to make a statement.

Before his execution, he was visited by his son and another person, according to the Associated Press, and he decided to have pizza and ice cream for his final meal.

Witnesses said Cole took a strong gasp, and his body shook before his breathing stopped and he was pronounced dead.

Cole’s attorneys had earlier filed an appeal, citing the “horrific and tragic” treatment he experienced at the infamous Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys in Florida, where kids suffered years of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.

The governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, who also approved Cole’s death warrant earlier this year, also approved a bill providing $20 million (£15.2 million) for the victims of the school. Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book The Nickel Boys drew inspiration from the institution.

“He does not deserve mercy.” The statement read.

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