Florida Set to Execute Rape/Murderer

A Florida drifter, who murdered an 18-year-old college freshman and raped the victim’s 21-year-old sister in 1994, is scheduled for execution on August 29.  Caroline Christensen of WCTV reports that last month Governor Ron DeSantis signed the death warrant for 57-year-old Loran Cole.  His attorneys have petitioned the state supreme court for a stay of execution arguing that evidence of Cole’s abusive childhood might have swayed the sentencing jury to recommend life in prison rather than the death penalty. The Florida Attorney General argues that Cole’s abusive childhood claims have been presented and rejected in earlier appeals.  Cole also claims that his Parkinson’s disease will cause him to suffer pain during his lethal injection.  Update:  Cole was executed without incident by lethal injection Thursday morning.

A 2004 Florida Supreme Court decision in one of Cole’s appeals describes brutal murder of John Edwards and the rape of Pam Edwards. On February 18, 1994, Pam met her brother John at a Florida state park for a weekend camping trip. While they were making camp, Loran Cole visited their campsite, introduced himself and then left. A few hours later Cole returned with another man named William Paul he said was his brother. After sitting around the fire, Cole suggested he and Paul show them a pond in the forest. After a few minutes of walking  in the forest Cole and Paul attacked the couple, knocking both to the ground. After going through their pockets for car keys and jewelry. Paul then led Pam back into the forest, while Cole stayed with her brother. Cole them rejoined them telling Pam that he had tied John up and would check on him later.

After they returned to the campsite Cole ordered Pam to undress threatening to kill her brother if she refused. After raping her, Cole and Paul stayed the night at the camp. The next morning, Cole said that he had gone to check on John and that he was fine. Later that day, Cole raped Pam again, then gagged her and tied her to a tree. Cole and Paul then took her car and visited a friend’s nearby trailer. They later returned, took John’s car and left. Hours later Pam was able to free herself by chewing through the rope and flagged down a motorist, who took her to call the police. Later that day police found John’s body. At trial the medical examiner reported that he had died from several severe blows to the head and a slit throat.

On February 21, police arrested Cole and Paul. Cole was convicted of first-degree, aggravated murder, kidnapping, robbery and rape.  The evidence was overwhelming and included Pam’s testimony and Paul’s confession. Paul plead guilty and was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. The jury sentenced Cole, who also had a prior felony conviction, to death.

There should be no further delay of justice in this case.