Loran Cole is to be executed on August 29 at 6 pm for the 1994 murder of John Edwards. We do not minimize the loss and devastation to his family, and to his surviving victim. We grieve for his victims, however, we cannot separate the tortured and traumatized child from the man who harmed them.
From June 1, 1984 through November 14, 1984, 17-year-old Loran Cole was housed at the notorious Arthur G. Dozier School in Marianna, Florida. The neglect, physical and sexual abuse, and trauma he experienced there changed the entire trajectory of his life, and led to the commission of this crime. As Mr. Cole’s attorneys aptly wrote, “That horrible place helped create the Loran Cole who sits on death row today.”
We firmly believe that Loran should be separated from society and held accountable for his actions, which life without the possibility of parole satisfies.
Commuting Loran Cole’s sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole will send a message that the State of Florida does not need the death penalty to be safer, and that it only serves to perpetuate the cycle of violence.
Sign the Petition
Write to Governor DeSantis
Sign the Faith Leader Letter
Vigils and Protests
Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops Vigil List
Week of Action for Loran Cole
News:
“Florida’s Governor DeSantis Schedules First Execution of 2024 for Dozier Reform School Survivor After 10-Month Execution Hiatus,” Death Penalty Information Center, August 14, 2024. “Maria DeLiberato, the Executive Director of Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, told The News Service of Florida that “in passing the compensation bill for Dozier survivors, the state of Florida recognized its direct responsibility for the profound and lifelong impact of horrific torture and abuse those men suffered there. For the state of Florida to turn around less than a month later and say they are justified in killing one of those survivors is unconscionable.”
More ways to help:
Sign Death Penalty Action’s petition
Send a letter with Catholic Mobilizing Network
Send a letter with the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops
Sign Mission Talk’s faith leader letter
Stay informed with Tracking Florida’s Death Penalty