Attorneys for the state of Florida are pushing for the execution of Loran Cole, despite his Parkinson’s symptoms and appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody argued that Cole waited too long to challenge the state’s lethal injection procedures, saying he had ample time to raise his concerns. Cole, convicted of kidnapping, raping, and murdering siblings in 1994, has argued that his Parkinson’s symptoms will make it impossible for a safe and humane execution to happen.
The state’s death penalty procedures are exempt from public records, and botched executions in other states have led to increased scrutiny and challenges in securing the necessary drugs and staff for executions. Despite these challenges, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Cole’s death warrant in July, scheduling him to be executed on Thursday at the Florida State Prison. Cole’s appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court is based on his 14th Amendment rights to due process and equal protection, stating that denying him a hearing is a violation of those rights.
The Florida Supreme Court denied an appeal from Cole on August 23, where he also argued that his execution should be blocked due to abuse he suffered at a state-run reform school. The case has sparked debate over the ethics and practices surrounding the death penalty, particularly in cases where medical conditions such as Parkinson’s may complicate the execution process.
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