
Florida Executes Edward James for 1999 Double Murder
Florida executed Edward Thomas James on March 20, 2025, for the brutal murders of his 11-year-old stepdaughter and her grandmother in 1999. James had been on death row since his conviction in 2000, with his execution proceeding after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected his final appeal.
The case garnered significant attention due to its heinous nature. James had raped and killed his stepdaughter, then murdered her grandmother when she discovered the crime. His appeals focused on his mental state and the fairness of his trial, but these were ultimately unsuccessful.
The execution took place at Florida State Prison in Raiford, marking the state's third execution of the year. James expressed remorse in his final statement, apologizing to the victims' family. The case has reignited debates about the death penalty in Florida, with advocates on both sides weighing in on the justice and morality of capital punishment.