Fifteen-year-old Khyler Edman died protecting his little sister in Port Charlotte, and now, almost six years later, his accused killer is finally headed to trial.
Ryan Cole appeared in court Wednesday for a final pretrial hearing in Charlotte County. Attorneys debated about how certain evidence should be used; including emergency calls, and Cole’s reported drug use the day of the attack.
Investigators say Cole claimed he was in a drug-induced blackout when he broke into the Edman family’s home on Starlite Lane in 2019.
Neighbors haven’t forgotten the horrific tragedy. A memorial for Khyler is still hanging up feet away from where he used to live, next to Anthony Emmanuel's house.
"The system is broken. I expected him (Cole) to be going to trial. I just was hoping that it would be sooner," said Emmanuel. "Right is right, Wrong is wrong. We all know that. I don't care how many drugs you may be on. If you think that life is a video game and you can go and do all kinds of crazy things, it's not that way. There are consequences for your actions."
Attorneys tell Gulf Coast News the case was delayed by pandemic-related court backlogs and further slowed by the large volume of evidence and witness testimony.
Cole had more than 20 arrests on his record before 2019. Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty if Cole is convicted. Jury selection starts Monday.
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