Loran Cole is the first execution in Florida in 2024

Loran Cole’s name echoed among the protesters outside The Florida State Prison was on lockdown Thursday night. Prayers and sacred whispers continued as the sun set behind the trees.

“Loran’s life is sacred,” said Pastor Philip Egitto. “May God, our Father, welcome him with mercy and love into the kingdom of heaven.”

The 57-year-old was executed by lethal injection at 6 p.m. on August 29, 2024.

Nearly 30 years have passed since Loran was convicted of first-degree murder and sexual assault. Authorities said Cole and his accomplice, William Paul, befriended the Edwards siblings at a campsite in the Ocala National Forest. John Edwards, a Florida State University student, was found brutally murdered, his throat slit and his skull fractured. Cole was convicted of repeatedly raping Edwards’ sister and then abandoning her in the forest, tied to two trees.

About 30 years of tense waiting on death row turned into 30 days left to live after Gov. Ron DeSantis approved Cole’s execution on July 29.

During Cole’s remaining time, his attorneys expressed concerns about the safety and humaneness of the procedure, including the threat the inmate’s health posed to the effectiveness of the injection.

After their appeal was rejected, Cole’s lawyers filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court on Sunday, arguing: “Cole’s symptoms of Parkinson’s disease will make it impossible for Florida to carry out his execution in a safe and humane manner because his involuntary bodily movements will affect the placement of intravenous lines necessary to carry out an execution by lethal injection.”

Former death row inmate Herman Lindsey said he was not surprised to hear the Supreme Court decided not to stay Loran Cole’s execution.

“I think the death penalty is used as a political tool to keep people in fear… but death is not a punishment,” Lindsey said. “We all live to die.”

Lindsey spent three years on death row at Florida State Prison before being acquitted on appeal. He said he would not give up on those facing the death penalty.

“I will fight to end the death penalty here in Florida, save tax dollars and try to bring rehabilitation and humanity back into our justice system,” Lindsey said.

Cole’s case has also drawn attention because of his history with the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys, a reformatory known for torture and abuse of students. His lawyers have argued that this played a role in Cole’s violent acts in 1994.

Another protester present Tuesday night was Armando Garcia, director of Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. He referred to a tradition that participants like to do to try to communicate with those condemned.

“There is a tradition of ringing a bell. This is the first time I’ve seen it, but they say you can hear it from inside,” Garcia said. “So it’s a way of letting the inmate, the person being executed, in this case Mr. Cole, know that there are people with him.”

Garcia also described his unique relationship with this particular case.

“I had a relative who was incarcerated,” Garcia said. “So I was in touch with Loran Cole’s son and tried to support him so he could come see his dad and say goodbye.”

Garcia’s efforts proved invaluable as Ryan Cole, 36, joined his father that evening with Cole’s pen pal Beth Evans for a final goodbye.

Although his last day consisted of meeting with family and friends, Cole also requested a final meal of pizza, ice cream, M&Ms and a soda. When asked if he had any final words, he simply replied, “No, sir,” according to witnesses.

The protesters dispersed around 6:30 p.m. after a quick prayer, and authorities arrived to confirm the procedure had been completed.

Ted Veerman, communications director for the Florida Department of Corrections, confirmed that the execution was carried out without incident. An emotional statement prepared by Edwards’ parents was also read to the press after the execution.

“Although sentenced to death, Mr. Cole was sentenced to 30 years to life in Florida state prison. During those 30 years, he was free to read books, study, eat properly, sleep in a bed, receive medical care, bathe and exercise, have visitors, and simply exist,” Timothy and Victoria Edwards wrote. “That is something he brutally took from our son – life – that cannot be undone.”

The statement goes on to discuss all that John’s sister has accomplished since the violent incident. She is now a wife, a mother and is pursuing a career in education.

“Although invisible to others, our daughter carries inner scars that will never go away,” the statement continued. “She has picked up the pieces of her life and taken the difficult steps to move forward in her brother’s absence, with only the memories he left behind.”

The Edwardses concluded their statement by supporting the governor in his decision to impose Cole’s sentence.

Loran Cole is the first to be executed in Florida this year.