Cole Warrant: Briefing complete at SCOTUS
Briefing is now complete on Cole's pending petition for writ of certiorari at the U.S. Supreme Court.
Loran Cole’s execution is scheduled for this Thursday, August 29, at 6:00 p.m. It is the first execution scheduled this year in the State.
As TFDP previously covered, Cole, through his attorneys, filed a petition for writ of certiorari and application for stay of execution on Sunday. Briefing is now complete.
This afternoon, the State of Florida filed its Answer Brief. The State’s argument is summarized as follows:
The State argues that the Court has not basis to grant certiorari on the questions presented in Cole’s petition. The full Answer can be accessed here.
This evening, Cole, through his attorneys filed his Reply in support of his petition. He argues, in part, that other prisoners in similar positions were granted evidentiary hearings on their claims related to the lethal injection protocol. The Brief states that “Cole is literally being deprived of his life, without “due process of law.” The full Reply can be accessed here.
Briefing on Cole’s petition is now complete, meaning the Court could issue its decision at any time. This is much earlier than briefing has been completed in other cases involving pending executions.
My thoughts are with everyone involved in the warrant and execution process.