Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has made a case against delaying the execution of inmate Loran Cole, who is suffering from Parkinson's symptoms. Moody argued that Cole's appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court challenging the state's lethal injection procedures came too late.
According to Moody, Cole, aged 57, raised concerns about the drug cocktail causing him unnecessary pain and suffering due to his Parkinson's disease only after his death warrant was signed. Moody's office stated that Cole had known about his Parkinson's symptoms for at least seven years but had not previously challenged the lethal injection process.
Cole's execution is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at the Florida State Prison. He was convicted of kidnapping and committing heinous crimes against siblings in 1994.
Cole has appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court to stay his execution, citing violations of his 14th Amendment rights. His attorneys argue that his Parkinson's symptoms would complicate the execution process due to involuntary body movements affecting the placement of intravenous lines.
Concerns have been raised about the secrecy surrounding death penalty procedures in Florida, with botched executions in other states adding to the unease. Obtaining lethal injection drugs and trained staff has also been a challenge for state officials.
Despite Cole's claims and appeals, the Florida Supreme Court recently denied his request to halt the execution. Cole has also mentioned suffering abuse at a state-run reform school as a reason to block his execution.
