Man sentenced to death for slaughtering 15-year-old boy
Share this @internewscast.com

Inset: Khyler Edman (Life Celebration Center). background: Ryan Cole during his trial for killing Khyler (WFTX).

A Florida judge on Monday sentenced a man to death for the murder of a 15-year-old boy who was shielding his sister as the man broke into their home.

The judge upheld the jury’s recommendation, which was decided by a 10-2 vote, to sentence 33-year-old Ryan Cole to death for the 2019 murder of Khyler Edman at a residence in Port Charlotte. Earlier this year, the jury found Cole guilty of first-degree murder and burglary.

Prosecutors highlighted in a document supporting the death penalty for Cole that he was without financial resources and under the influence of heroin and methamphetamine on September 26, 2019. This led him to target Khyler’s home for a burglary, believing he might find drugs or money inside.

Love true crime? Sign up for our newsletter, The Law&Crime Docket, to get the latest real-life crime stories delivered right to your inbox.

Cole used a tool to gain entry into the carport of the house around 4 p.m. Upon entering the kitchen, he came across Khyler, who was at home with his 5-year-old sister, while their mother was away at work.

Khyler grabbed a chef’s knife to try to protect himself and his sister. A video clip from home security footage mostly captured audio of what happened next.

“During the six (6) second video clip, a voice can be heard stating ‘Come here friend’ and splatters of blood are seen dropping to the floor,” prosecutors wrote.

More from Law&Crime: ‘If it looks bad then it’s bad’: Man ‘jealous’ of brother’s success murdered him in argument ‘over a girl,’ cops say

Cole stabbed Khyler four times in the chest and abdomen. The boy died on the floor. His sister was hiding under a bed and was not physically injured. Cops later found Cole nearby, his hand bloodied from apparently grabbing the knife and overpowering Khyler. He claimed not to have remembered the attack.

Prosecutors argued that there were several aggravating factors that supported Cole receiving the death penalty. First, the murder occurred during a burglary. Second, Cole’s actions were “heinous, meaning extremely wicked or shockingly evil.”

“The Defendant’s voice on the video clip inside the kitchen stating, ‘Come here friend,’ is especially wicked and shockingly evil, as the Defendant was taunting a young boy,” prosecutors wrote. “The video documents that the Defendant was chasing [Khyler] inside his own home. Rather than leaving the home when the Defendant realized the home was occupied, the Defendant proceeded to grab the knife and repeatedly stab 15-year-old [Khyler].”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

NEWS UPDATE: Father Faces Charges in Teen’s Death After Body Discovered at Dump Site

Minnesota police arrested a man on Monday, a week after his missing…

Police Report: Nephew Fatally Attacks Uncle During Dispute Over Damaged TV

Inset: O”Neal Robert Matthew Thompson (ECSO). The Florida home where Thompson allegedly…

Tragic Incident: 8-Year-Old Girl Fatally Injured by Illegal Fireworks

Inset left: Earl Decastro (Buena Park Police Department) Inset right: Jasmine Nguyen…

Update: Georgia Teen Indicted for First-Degree Murder Nearly 5 Months After Mother and Stepfather’s Deaths

Police in Georgia have charged a 17-year-old girl with the February murders…

Famous Chef Reacts to Court Ruling on Mushrooms Linked to Killer’s Dish

Popular online cook and author Nagi Maehashi says she was upset to…

Court Stops Trump’s Plan to Cut Funding for Planned Parenthood

Main Image: President Donald Trump speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One…

Accurate Description of Tattoos: Lead on Fugitive Child Killer Travis Decker

Authorities in Idaho state that a family who reported spotting the accused…

Elderly Man, 80, Allegedly Kills Wife Following Dispute Over His Medical Care: Police Report

Background: Montgomery County Detention Center (Montgomery County Department of Correction and Rehabilitation)…

Teenager kills girlfriend and stages it as a suicide

Left: Nathaniel N. Archuleta (Peoria County Jail). Right: Mary Halcomb (Dignity Memorial).…

Mother Shares Events Leading Up to Son Allegedly Decapitating Father

Background: News footage of Denice Mohn (center, in blazer and glasses) leaving…

Teen Kills Mom and Stepfather; Sister Discovers Bodies: Police

Left inset: Sarah Patrick (Carroll County Sheriff’s Office). Right inset: James and…

Autistic Man in Florida Accused of Making Threatening Remarks Against Trump: Sheriff

Inset: Nicholas Gallo (Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office). Background: President Donald Trump…