UPDATE 4:27 p.m.:
Ryan Cole had no emotion on his face when he heard the jury recommended death.
Only eight jurors are needed to recommend death, and in this case it was a 10-2 in favor of it.
However, Cole's fate lies in the hands of the judge.
Senior Reporter Kaitlin Knapp takes you inside the courtroom for the jury's recommendation:
After both sides made their opening statements, the judge read a victim impact statement from Edman's mother.
"The emotional toll is indescribable," the judge read.
His mother said in the letter Edman wanted to join the military because "there's a bunch of different ways you can help people."
Assistant State Attorney Jennifer Garczewski argued that Cole's crimes deserved the death penalty.
"The choice the defendant made was to stab Khyler Edman multiple times, cause Khyler Edman to die in his own home because of the defendant's choice to burglarize Khyler Edman's home," she said.
They said two aggravating factors warranted a death penalty recommendation: the felony was committed while Cole was engaged in the commission of a burglary and the capital felony was especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel.
"Each and every time he purposely stabbed Khyler Edman, he inflicted a high degree of pain," Garczewski said. "Despite being on drugs that day [Cole] and having a history of drug use and dependence, the defendant was capable of choices."
The defense called Cole's aunt to the stand.
She talked about her nephew's drug use, fueled by his parents and their use.
"I remember when he almost overdosed at 7-Eleven in Port Charlotte," said Sharon Cole.
She said she had no contact with Cole over the past 10 years, but she talked about him as a person.
"Ryan Cole is a polite, well-mannered child. Was raised up until the drug issues and wouldn't hurt a fly," Sharon said.
During closing arguments, Cole's attorney pleaded with the jury and asked them to save Cole's life.
"A vote for life in prison doesn't excuse the crime at all," said Kathleen Fitzgeorge, Cole's attorney. "Ryan Clayton Cole will die in prison."
Judge Lisa Porter will decide whether Cole will be put to death or spend the rest of his life in prison.
Everyone will be back in county on June 17 at 1:30 p.m. for a hearing before the judge makes her final decision.
UPDATE 2:25 p.m.
The jury has recommended death for the Cole.
UPDATE 12:24 p.m.:
The State and Cole's attorneys have finished closing arguments. Now, the judge will read the jury instructions before they go back and deliberate.
UPDATE 11:08 a.m.:
Both sides are starting close arguments before the jury gets the case, where they will decided on a recommendation.
UPDATE 10:17 a.m.:
Prosecutors have presented two aggravating factors. In order for a jury to potentially recommend the death penalty, they all need to unanimously determine if one of the aggravating factors applies to the case.
The State has argued Cole's crime was during the commission of a burglary. The second factor
"You saw the broken door. You saw the defendant’s intent to want to go into that home," said Assistant State Attorney Jennifer Garczewski.
The second factor they argued is that Edman's murder was especially heinous, atrocious and cruel.
"You saw the multiple stab to 15-year-old Khyler Edman to his body," she said.
Once those were presented, the defense argued mitigating circumstances. They can present as many as they would like.
One of Cole's attorneys said Cole was homeless and was sleeping at someone else’s house.
The attorney said Cold had become addicted to drugs at a young age and his parents were also addicted.
"Look at the life of Mr. Cole and the struggles he has had," his attorney said.
After the opening statements, Judge Lisa Porter read a victim impact statement from Edman's mother.
"The emotional toll is indescribable," the letter read.
In the statement, she talked about who Edman was and that h wanted to join the military because Edman said "there’s a bunch of different ways you can help people."
The State rested its case. Now, the defense is calling Cole's aunt to the stand, Sharon Cole, who is currently in jail.
UPDATE 9:23 a.m.:
The jury is not yet in the courtroom. The State says they will read a victim impact statement from Khyler's mother. On the defense's side, Cole's attorney says they will have one witness.
ORIGINAL STORY:
The man found guilty of killing a 15-year-old in Charlotte County will be sentenced on Thursday, beginning at 9 a.m.
On May 2, a jury found Ryan Cole guilty of first-degree murder for the 2019 slaying of 15-year-old Khyler Edman. He was also found guilty of burglary with assault or battery, and burglary charges.
In September 2019, Cole broke into Edman's home where the teenager was babysitting his 5-year-old sister. According to investigators, Edman confronted Cole to protect his sister, leading to a violent encounter that resulted in Edman's death. His younger sister was unharmed.
Cole was arrested shortly after the incident, following a separate burglary nearby. He was found with multiple stab wounds and was taken into custody.
Fox 4's Senior Reporter Kaitlin Knapp is in the courtroom.
You can find the latest developments within this article.
