In a shocking end to a decades-long case, Edward James, 63, was executed Thursday evening at Florida State Prison for the horrific 1993 murders of 8-year-old Toni Neuner and her grandmother, Betty Dick. James, who had pleaded guilty to the crimes, was pronounced dead at 8:15 p.m. after receiving a lethal injection.
Authorities say James had been drinking heavily—consuming up to 24 beers, gin, and LSD—on the night of September 19, 1993, before returning to the Casselberry home where he rented a room from Dick. That night, he brutally attacked the family, raping and strangling young Toni Neuner and stabbing her grandmother 21 times before stealing her jewelry and car.
James fled across the country, selling stolen jewelry along the way, before being arrested weeks later in Bakersfield, California. A videotaped confession sealed his fate, and despite his guilty plea, a jury recommended the death penalty in an 11-1 vote.
His execution follows years of appeals, with his lawyers arguing that brain damage from drug abuse, past head injuries, and a heart attack in 2023 left him mentally unfit for execution. The Florida Supreme Court rejected these claims, ruling that “James’s cognitive issues do not shield him from execution.”
James’ death marks Florida’s second execution of the year. Three other executions took place across the U.S. this week, including an Oklahoma man put to death for a home invasion killing and an Arizona execution by lethal injection. Louisiana also resumed executions after a 15-year pause, using nitrogen gas for the first time.
With James’ case now closed, Florida officials are preparing for their next scheduled execution on April 8, when Michael Tanzi is set to die for the 2000 murder of a woman in the Florida Keys.
