Jury selection begins Monday for a man accused of killing a 15-year-old during a violent home invasion in Port Charlotte nearly six years ago.
Ryan Cole, 27, faces the death penalty, if convicted, for the murder of Khyler Edman, 15, in 2019. Edman was killed while protecting his little sister at their home during the burglary.
According to Cole's attorney, the trial has been delayed due to the pandemic, three hurricanes, and backlogged court proceedings.
Only Gulf Coast News captured the moments when Cole appeared in court last week for a final pre-trial hearing, where attorneys argued over evidence and prepared for jury selection.
Cole is accused of stabbing and killing Khyler as the teen fought to protect his 5-year-old sister after Cole allegedly broke into their home.
Cole told investigators he blacked out from drugs the day he broke into the Edman home on Starlite Lane in 2019.
"Wrong is wrong. We all know that. I don't care how much drugs you may be on. If you think that life is a video game and you can go and do all kinds of crazy. It's not that way. There are consequences for your actions. And, he knew that stabbing a child x, y, z amount of times is just not right," said Anthony Yie, a neighbor.
Cole is facing the death penalty for the murder of Edman. Jury selection begins Monday at the Charlotte County Courthouse.
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