Florida man convicted for raping, killing 8-year-old, murdering her grandma asks SCOTUS to block execution

A Florida decease enactment inmate convicted of raping and sidesplitting an eight-year-old miss and murdering her grandma is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to halt his execution.

Edward James, 63, was convicted successful the 1993 rape and execution of Toni Neuner, 8, and the execution of Betty Dick, 58, successful Seminole County. He pleaded blameworthy to the murders and charges of kid maltreatment and kidnapping, and pleaded nary contention to different charges helium said helium could not remember.

James’ execution by lethal injection is scheduled for Thursday astatine 6 p.m. astatine the Florida State Prison successful the metropolis of Starke. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed James’ decease warrant past month.

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Edward James, 63, is scheduled to beryllium executed by lethal injection connected Thursday astatine 6 p.m. (Florida Department of Corrections)

On Sept. 19, 1993, James attacked Toni, who was staying astatine her grandmother's house, earlier helium besides murdered the 58-year-old woman. James had been renting a country successful Dick’s home.

According to tribunal records, James strangled Toni earlier raping her and throwing her assemblage crossed the room. The miss suffered interior injuries, and James strangled her to death.

James past went to Dick's chamber with the volition of raping her but alternatively stabbed her much than 20 times with 2 antithetic knives.

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The Florida Supreme Court and a national appeals tribunal each rejected appeals to hold Edward James' execution. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)

The murders were witnessed by Toni’s older sister Wendi, who James yet tied up and locked successful the bathroom. Toni’s 2 younger brothers were dormant successful the location erstwhile the crimes were committed.

The Florida Supreme Court and a national appeals tribunal each rejected appeals to hold James' execution.

James’ lawyer cited "cognitive decline" and argued that carrying retired the execution would interruption the law prohibition connected cruel and antithetic punishment, according to WUSF.

Edward James is asking the U. S. Supreme Court to halt his execution. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File)

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"The issues contiguous successful the instant lawsuit necessitate appellate reappraisal that is not truncated by the exigencies of an imminent execution," James’ attorney, Dawn Macready, wrote.

James' execution would beryllium the state’s 2nd this year, aft James Dennis Ford was enactment to decease past period for the 1997 execution of a mates successful Charlotte County. Another inmate, Michael Tanzi, 48, is scheduled to beryllium executed connected April 8 for the 2000 kidnapping and execution of a Miami woman.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.