The trial of Ryan Cole, accused of murdering 15-year-old Khlyer Edman during a 2019 home invasion in Port Charlotte, continued today with emotional testimony from the victim's mother, Jessica English.
"I yelled please help. Somebody killed my son," English said, recalling the moment she discovered her son's lifeless body. She described the scene, noting, "He was lying there. There was some vomit. A lot of blood. I picked up his head maybe like a centimeter just to see if he would respond to me."
English also testified about her daughter, Khaleesi, who was hiding in her room during the incident. She observed that her daughter "smelled like she had gone to the restroom in her pants," which was not normal for her.
The jury was shown surveillance footage from the Edman home, capturing someone breaking in through the carport, with blood visible on the door and ground.
Cole, who has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, told investigators he blacked out from drugs on the day of the incident. He is facing the death penalty if found guilty.
The trial continues at the Charlotte County Courthouse, with more witness testimonies expected.
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