Loran Cole, a man with Parkinson’s symptoms scheduled to be executed in Florida, has appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court to delay his execution due to concerns about the lethal injection procedures causing him unnecessary pain. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody argued that Cole waited too long to raise his claims and that nothing prevented him from doing so earlier. Cole was convicted of kidnapping and murder in 1994. His attorneys argue that his Parkinson’s symptoms will make it difficult for the state to carry out his execution safely and humanely. The Florida Supreme Court denied Cole’s previous appeal, in which he also claimed abuse at a state-run reform school as grounds to block his execution. The state faces scrutiny over its death penalty procedures, with concerns over issues such as botched executions and difficulties in securing necessary drugs and staff. Despite these challenges, Cole’s execution is set to proceed as scheduled unless the U.S. Supreme Court grants a stay.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
Florida contends that execution should proceed despite man’s Parkinson’s symptoms.
