SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – In 13 days, Edward James, convicted of murdering a Seminole County grandmother and her 8-year-old granddaughter, is scheduled for execution.
His attorney has appealed to the Florida Supreme Court to halt the execution, citing James’ deteriorating mental state.
In 1995, James was convicted of murdering Betty Dick and her granddaughter, Toni Neuner, in a Seminole County neighborhood, Lake Hodge Estates.
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
Prosecutors claimed that the 63-year-old, who rented a room from Dick, committed the murders after a night of drinking and drug use. Court documents reveal that James strangled and sexually assaulted the child before stabbing her grandmother to death.
James was sentenced to death in 1995, and on Feb. 18 of this year, Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a death warrant. However, his attorney argues that executing James at the state prison in Starke would violate the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment due to his cognitive decline.
A Seminole County Circuit Court judge rejected the argument, noting that James’ cognitive issues were known long before the death warrant was signed. The judge questioned why this matter was not raised earlier. The case is now before the state Supreme Court, with the state arguing that the execution should proceed.
Attempts to reach the victims’ family and James’ attorney for comment were unsuccessful.
James is scheduled to be executed on March 20.
