Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Death Warrant for Kidnap-Murder Case

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed the death warrant for Loran Kenstley Cole, 57, who was found guilty of the 1994 kidnapping and murder of 18-year-old FSU student John Edwards and the kidnapping and rape of his 21-year-old sister. Cole is set to be executed by lethal injection on August 29.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed the death warrant for Loran Kenstley Cole, 57, who was found guilty of the 1994 kidnapping and murder of 18-year-old FSU student John Edwards and the kidnapping and rape of his 21-year-old sister. Cole is set to be executed by lethal injection on August 29.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Death Warrant for Kidnap-Murder Case

In a statement, DeSantis said, "I have been advised that you have set the date and time of execution for Thursday, August 29 at 6:00 p.m."

The execution will be the first in Florida since last August, when Governor DeSantis signed the death warrant of Michael Duane Zack, 54, for murdering two women in 1996.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Death Warrant for Kidnap-Murder Case

Cole was convicted in 1995 and sentenced to death. His conviction was upheld by the Florida Supreme Court in 2000.

Cole's attorneys have filed a number of appeals, but all have been unsuccessful.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Death Warrant for Kidnap-Murder Case

In a statement, Cole's attorneys said, "We are deeply disappointed by the governor's decision to sign Loran Cole's death warrant. We believe that Mr. Cole deserves a new trial because of the substantial new evidence that has come to light since his conviction."

DeSantis' decision to sign the death warrant comes as Florida is facing a number of legal challenges to its death penalty law.

In April, a federal judge ruled that Florida's death penalty law is unconstitutional because it gives too much power to the governor. The state is appealing the ruling.

In May, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that the state's death penalty law is constitutional, but it struck down the provision that allowed the governor to override a jury's recommendation of life in prison.

The death penalty is a controversial issue in Florida. A 2020 poll by the University of North Florida found that 54% of Floridians support the death penalty, while 43% oppose it.

Florida has executed 99 people since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976.