A man accused of killing a 15-year-old boy while he was protecting his sister during a 2019 home invasion was found guilty Friday afternoon after a two-week trial in Charlotte County.
Ryan Cole, 27, was found guilty on all three counts, including first-degree murder of Khyler Edman, 15, and faces the death penalty.
The death penalty phase of the trial will begin on May 15, where the jury will hear additional testimony to recommend whether Cole should serve life in prison or be put to death.
Cole was accused of breaking into Edman's home and stabbing him to death as he protected his 5-year-old sister. Cole has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder. The trial has included testimony from Edman's mother, Jessica English, and several witnesses. The defense presented its witnesses yesterday, and closing arguments have concluded.
Jurors have been shown significant evidence, including surveillance video from a Port Charlotte home capturing someone breaking in through the carport on Starline Lane, as well as graphic photos of Edman's lifeless body and the bloody crime scene. These are painful memories that Edman's mother, Jessica English, was forced to relive.
"He was laying, there was some vomit, a lot of blood. Did you do anything else at that time? I picked up his head maybe like a centimeter just to see if he would respond to me," English said.
"I yelled please help. Somebody killed my son," English said.
When asked if she was able to check on her son one last time, English responded, "No."
The jury returned the guilty verdict in only a few hours on Friday.
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