The Casselberry man who murdered an eight-year-old and her grandmother was executed by lethal injection last week on March 20.
Edward James, 63, was pronounced dead at 8:15 p.m. after being administered a sedative, paralyzing agent and barbiturate in a three-drug lethal injection protocol at Florida State Prison in Starke, according to Florida Department of Corrections (FDOC) officials.
James was sentenced to death in 1995 for the Sept. 19, 1993, Casselberry murders of Toni Neuman, 8, and Betty Dick, 58. He sat on death row for over 30 years until his execution was scheduled this year on March 20.
Governor Ron Desantis signed James’ “death warrant” on Feb. 18, advising that the death sentence be carried out at 6 p.m. The reason for the two-hour delay is unknown.
When asked for his last words, James declined to provide any. Strapped to a gurney in the execution chamber, James was seen convulsing as the executioner released a sedative into his body.
According to FDOC officials, James’ last meal was fried catfish, hush puppies, ice cream and soda.
The family of Toni Neuman and Betty Dick were present at James’ execution and were seen emotional throughout the proceedings. Among others present at a press conference were Jere Pearson, Toni Neuman’s brother, and Brenda Teed, Brenda Dick’s daughter.
“In these types of cases, nobody wins,” said Pearson. “We all lose greatly.”
“We’ve been dealing with this for over 31 years,” said Teed, holding a photo frame of her mother. “My mother lived life to the fullest, and she is now gone… Toni never got to live.”
The family of Edward James was not present at his execution.
James had initially waived his right to post-conviction relief in 1998 before changing his mind in 2003 and requesting to restart post-conviction proceedings, a motion that was denied by the Florida Supreme Court.
According to court records, James then filed consecutive appeals in 2018, 2019, 2024 and 2025 to state and federal courts, all of which were denied. James’ legal counsel argued that a heart attack in 2024 and mental problems rendered an execution too dangerous to carry out. A last-minute stay order was not granted by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Many protestors were gathered outside of the State Prison grounds to protest James’ execution.
Abraham Bonowitz, executive director of the nonprofit Death Penalty Action, was one of the coordinators who brought the protestors to remote Starke.
Abraham Bonowitz, executive director of the nonprofit Death Penalty Action, was one of the coordinators who brought the protestors to remote Starke.
