Florida Death Row Inmate's Appeals Ongoing as Execution Date Approaches

Loran Cole mugshot photoPhoto byFlorida Department of Corrections

Loran Cole, a Florida death row inmate, is scheduled for execution this month after more than two decades of legal wrangling. Cole, who was convicted of murder in 1994 continues to challenge the state's decision to proceed with his execution, arguing that new evidence and legal concerns merit a reconsideration of his sentence.

Born November 11, 1966, Cole was convicted of the brutal murder of John Edwards in Marion County, Florida. On February 18, 1994, Cole and accomplice William Paul attacked Edwards and his sister Pam during a camping trip in Ocala National Forest. Cole restrained Edwards before fatally assaulting him, causing death by a slashed throat and skull fractures. Cole and Paul also sexually assaulted Pam before abandoning her. They were arrested on February 21, 1994.

Cole was sentenced to death on December 20, 1995, for first-degree murder, with additional sentences for kidnapping, robbery, and sexual battery. His subsequent appeals to the Florida Supreme Court and U.S. Supreme Court were denied. Despite numerous attempts to overturn his conviction and sentence, including motions for post-conviction relief and habeas corpus petitions, Cole's death sentence has been upheld.

In a final appeal, posted on the Florida Supreme Court's website yesterday, Cole’s defense team argues that the Florida Supreme Court should review his case thoroughly before execution.

" The instant case is literally a matter of life or death, because once the State has executed Cole, he will not have any recourse," a portion of his Reply Brief of the Appellant from August 19, 2024, asserts.

One significant aspect of Cole’s appeal is the recently enacted Dozier School Victim Compensation Program, which recognizes abuse suffered by boys at the notorious Florida institution. Cole contends that his abuse at Dozier influenced his actions leading to his death sentence. His legal team argues that this new acknowledgment of trauma could have impacted his original sentencing, potentially resulting in a life sentence instead.

Additionally, Cole’s defense challenges Florida’s lethal injection procedures, citing his Parkinson's disease as a factor that could cause extreme suffering during execution. Although his illness was known since 2017, Cole’s team claims that evolving execution methods render this challenge relevant now that his execution date has been set.

The state maintains that Cole’s appeals are untimely and that his claims do not justify further review. They are pushing for the execution to proceed as scheduled on August 29, 2024 at 6p.m.

As the execution date approaches, Cole’s attorneys have requested a stay to allow the courts time to consider these complex issues. It remains uncertain whether Cole will be granted an opportunity to present his case or if Florida will move forward with the execution.