one Florida death row inmate Convicted of raping and killing an eight-year-old girl and murdering her grandmother was demanding that the U.S. Supreme Court stop the execution.
Edward James, 63, was convicted in the 1993 rape and murder of Toni Neuner, 8, and Betty Dick, 58, of Seminole County. he Enfession There is no competition for the murders and allegations of child abuse and child kidnapping, which he said he does not remember.
James decided to go through the lethal injection at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Florida prison in Stark. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed James’ death order last month.
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Edward James, 63, is scheduled to be executed by a fatal injection Thursday at 6 p.m. (Florida Department of Corrections)
On September 19, 1993, James attacked Toni, who had lived in his grandmother’s house, and then he murdered the 58-year-old woman. James has been renting a room at Dick’s house.
James strangled Tony before raping her and throwing her body into the room, according to court records. The girl suffered internal injuries and James strangled her to death.
James then went to Dick’s bedroom with the intention of raping her, but stabbed her more than 20 times with two different knives.
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The Florida Supreme Court and the federal court of appeals each declined to appeal to postpone Edward James’ execution. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, file)
Toni’s sister Wendi witnessed the murder and James ended up strapping to the bathroom. Tony’s two younger brothers fell asleep in the room at the time of the crime.
Florida Supreme Court and Federal Court of Appeals each Refused to appeal Delayed James’ execution.
According to WUSF, James’ lawyers cited “cognitive decline” and believed that execution of the execution would violate a constitutional injunction against cruel and unusual punishment.
Edward James asked the U.S. Supreme Court to stop the execution. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File)
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“The problems in this case require appeal review and will not be cut off due to an emergency that is about to be executed,” wrote James’ attorney Dawn MacReady.
James’ execution will be the second year of the state this year after James Dennis Ford was executed last month for the 1997 murder of a couple in Charlotte County. Another 48-year-old inmate, Michael Tanzi, is scheduled to be executed on April 8 for the 2000 kidnapping and murder of Miami women.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
