A Florida death row inmate, Edward James, aged 63, is currently petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court to stop his execution, which is set to take place on Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Florida State Prison located in Starke. James was convicted of the heinous crimes of raping and murdering eight-year-old Toni Neuner and also murdering her grandmother, Betty Dick, in Seminole County in 1993. The case has garnered significant media attention due to the brutal nature of the crimes and the legal proceedings surrounding them.
On September 19, 1993, Edward James attacked young Toni, who was staying overnight at her grandmother's house. At the time, James had been renting a room in Dick’s home. According to court records, he strangled Toni before sexually assaulting her and then violently threw her body across the room. Tragically, Toni suffered severe internal injuries, ultimately leading to her death by strangulation. After committing this horrific act, James proceeded to Dick's bedroom with the intention of raping her but instead stabbed her more than 20 times using two different knives, resulting in her death.
The brutal murders were witnessed by Toni’s older sister, Wendi, whom James subsequently tied up and locked in the bathroom. Meanwhile, Toni’s two younger brothers were asleep in the house during these horrific events. The psychological impact of these crimes on the family and the community has been profound, further underscoring the severity of James’ actions.
Despite the overwhelming evidence against him, Edward James has attempted to delay his execution through various legal avenues. Both the Florida Supreme Court and a federal appeals court have rejected his appeals. James’ attorney, Dawn Macready, has cited concerns about his cognitive decline, arguing that executing him would violate the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment. According to reports from WUSF, Macready stated, “The issues present in the instant case require appellate review that is not truncated by the exigencies of an imminent execution.”
If carried out, James’ execution would mark the state of Florida's second execution of the year, following the execution of James Dennis Ford last month for the 1997 murder of a couple in Charlotte County. Another inmate, Michael Tanzi, aged 48, is also scheduled to be executed on April 8 for the 2000 kidnapping and murder of a woman in Miami, highlighting the ongoing legal and social debates surrounding the death penalty in Florida.
This case continues to evoke strong reactions from both advocates for victims' rights and opponents of the death penalty, making it a focal point in discussions about justice and punishment in the state.
