Edward James set for execution March 20 for 1993 double murder in Florida

Edward James, 63, is scheduled for execution on March 20 at Florida State Prison after being convicted of the 1993 murders of Betty Dick and her 8-year-old granddaughter, Toni Neuner, in Seminole County. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the death warrant, marking the state's second execution this year, following the execution of James Ford for separate murders. Court records detail that James, who rented a room from Dick, strangled and sexually assaulted Neuner before murdering Dick with over 20 stab wounds. James was sentenced to death in 1995 and has faced numerous rejected appeals over the years. The Attorney General stated that the legal record supports the issuance of the death warrant, which may prompt new appeals. Florida previously executed six inmates in 2023 after a gap of three years without any executions.