A Florida death row inmate was executed by lethal injection, becoming the second man to be put to death in the U.S. today and the fourth this week. Edward Thomas James, 63, was executed on Thursday for the brutal 1993 murders of 58-year-old Elizabeth “Betty” Dick and her 8-year-old granddaughter, Toni Neuner, who was raped. This execution followed that of Wendell Arden Grissom in Oklahoma for a home-invasion murder, Jessie Hoffman in Louisiana by nitrogen gas, and Aaron Gunches in Arizona by lethal injection. James is the second inmate to be executed in Florida this year and the 10th in the U.S.
Edward Thomas James arrived at Betty Dick’s home in Casselberry, Florida, on the night of Sept. 20, 1993. While intoxicated and under the influence of drugs, he violently attacked and murdered Dick and raped her granddaughter, Toni Neuner, before fleeing the state. James was later captured after a nationwide manhunt and has always admitted to his guilt, stating that he believes the death penalty is the appropriate punishment for his actions.
Betty Dick was known as a loving grandmother who had taken James in out of kindness. Her family was shocked by the brutal crimes committed by someone they never suspected of being capable of such violence. Toni Neuner was described as an outgoing girl who was very close to her sister Wendi, who witnessed the murders and tried to intervene before being tied up by James.
The family continues to struggle with the loss of Betty and Toni, trying to help the other grandchildren understand the tragic events. Despite the pain and anger, they find solace in believing that Betty and Toni are now in heaven, watching over them.
The article discusses the execution of Edward Thomas James, known as James, and the circumstances surrounding his death. Teed expressed anger and disbelief in God due to the actions James committed. James was executed at the Florida State Prison in Raiford after a two-hour delay, with his attorneys arguing that he was not mentally fit for execution. Despite their arguments, all courts rejected the appeals leading up to the execution. Four more executions are scheduled in the U.S. in April, with additional executions planned for the rest of the year.
