A grim chapter from nearly thirty years ago is coming to a close.
Loran Cole, 57, who was convicted of a horrific crime spree in a Florida national forest, has been scheduled for execution. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the death warrant on Monday, setting Cole’s execution by lethal injection for August 28 at Florida State Prison.
Cole’s conviction dates back to 1995, when he was found guilty of first-degree murder, kidnapping, robbery, and sexual battery.
The brutal crime involved the death of John Edwards and the assault on his sister, Pam.
The Tallahassee Democrat reported that Cole and his accomplice, William Paul, befriended the Edwards siblings at their Ocala National Forest campsite on February 18, 1994.
After having dinner together, the group decided to head to a nearby pond around 10:45 p.m. to photograph alligators.
A Night of Terror
Things took a horrifying turn when Cole attacked 21-year-old Pam, knocking her to the ground and handcuffing her.
When her brother John intervened, both Cole and Paul overpowered him, throwing him next to Pam. Cole then took Pam up the path, while Paul stayed behind with John, who later died from a slashed throat and severe head injuries.
Cole returned to the campsite, threatening Pam to force her into sexual acts.
The following day, he raped her again, gagged her, and tied her to a tree before fleeing with Paul. Pam managed to escape by chewing through her restraints and sought help from a passing motorist, who took her to call 911.
Legal Proceedings and Current Status
Marion County Sheriff Ken Ergle described the perpetrators as “damnable animals” after discovering John’s body. Paul, now 51, pleaded no contest to the charges and is serving a life sentence.
Cole, who was also convicted of two counts of rape, received a death sentence. Despite multiple attempts to overturn his conviction, including a failed appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court in 2007, Cole’s efforts have been unsuccessful.
The Florida Supreme Court has now directed that all further proceedings in Cole’s case be expedited. To delay the execution, an appeal notice must be filed by 9 a.m. on August 12.
If the execution proceeds as scheduled, it will be the first in Florida since Michael Zack was executed in October for the 1996 murder of Ravonne Smith.
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