Loran Kenstley Cole Execution: The Case That Shocked Florida
Loran Kenstley Cole execution in Florida: Supreme Court rejects appeal to stay execution citing Parkinson's disease
2024-09-02T12:00:16+00:00
- U.S. Supreme Court rejects Loran Kenstley Cole’s appeal.
- He was executed on Friday.
- Death row inmate claimed having Parkinson’s disease.
U.S. Supreme Court rejects appeal of Death Row inmate with Parkinson’s Disease.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday refused to halt the execution of Loran Kenstley Cole.
Cole was convicted of the murder of student John Edwards in 1994 in Florida.
Cole’s defense argued that executing him would be inhumane due to his Parkinson’s disease.
Execution of Loran Kenstley Cole Proceeded Despite Appeals
The 57-year-old inmate argued that the lethal injection would cause him «unnecessary pain and suffering.»
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the death warrant last July.
The execution took place at the Florida State Prison.
Cole tortured and murdered 18-year-old John Edwards in a forest where he was camping with his sister.
Loran Kenstley Cole also raped Edwards’ sister during the crime.
In February 1994, the Edwards siblings met Cole and William Paul in Ocala National Forest.
YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: Cole Appeals to Supreme Court to Stop Florida Execution
Cole and Paul lured the siblings away from their campsite, brutally attacked them, and robbed them.
Cole slit John Edwards’ throat and sexually assaulted his sister.
Details of the Crime and Execution Context in Florida
Edwards’ sister was left tied to trees before she could escape and call the police.
Loran Kenstley Cole and William Paul fled in the siblings’ car. William Paul, Cole’s accomplice, pleaded guilty and is serving a life sentence.
This will be Florida’s first execution since last October. It is the ninth execution during Ron DeSantis’ tenure.
DeSantis pushed for a judicial reform that allows a simple majority for capital punishment.
Florida has executed 105 individuals since 1979.
On August 23, the Florida Supreme Court also rejected another appeal from Loran Kenstley Cole.
Cole claimed he had suffered abuse in a state reform school during his youth.
Cole’s execution will took place last Friday night. Source: AP.


