Edward Dean Kennedy
Florida Serial Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Miami, Florida
TIME PERIOD
1978-1981
VICTIMS
3 confirmed
On April 11, 1981, Edward Dean Kennedy, an inmate serving a life sentence for a prior murder, escaped from the Union Correctional Institution in Florida. Shortly after his escape, he broke into a home in Miami, where he fatally shot Florida Highway Trooper Robert McDermon and his cousin Floyd Cone. Kennedy was apprehended after holding the second homeowners hostage and demanding media coverage of the incident. He was subsequently tried and convicted on two counts of first-degree murder, receiving a death sentence that was upheld despite multiple appeals. Kennedy was executed by electric chair on July 21, 1992, at Florida State Prison.
Edward Dean Kennedy is believed to have committed his murders in a desperate attempt to avoid recapture after escaping from prison. Some speculate that his violent actions were premeditated, as he was found with stolen weapons and had changed clothes before the killings. Additionally, there are theories that his initial life sentence was not enough to deter his criminal behavior, leading to his eventual execution for the subsequent murders.
The Troubling Tale of Edward Dean Kennedy
The Beginning of a Violent Path
Edward Dean Kennedy was born on May 25, 1945, in the United States, and he would eventually become a name synonymous with cold-blooded murder. Known to some by the nickname "Sonny," Kennedy's criminal path began in earnest on May 19, 1978. On that day in Miami, a seemingly routine robbery at a motel turned deadly when 33-year-old clerk Robert Brown was shot and killed. Kennedy, alongside his accomplice Oliver Cochran, was arrested for the crime. Despite the severity of the act, Kennedy managed to avoid the death penalty by convincing the judge of his desire to contribute positively to society. Instead, he received a life sentence and was sent to the Union Correctional Institution.
A Notorious Escape
On April 11, 1981, Edward Kennedy orchestrated a daring escape from the Union Correctional Institution. He was not alone—two other inmates joined him in the breakout. However, the authorities quickly recaptured Kennedy's partners in crime, leaving him the sole fugitive. As Kennedy eluded capture, he broke into a house, seeking weapons and a change of clothes. This break-in turned fatal when the homeowner, Floyd Cone, and his cousin, Robert C. McDermon, a Florida Highway Trooper, unexpectedly returned. Without hesitation, Kennedy shot and killed both men.
His escape continued to unfold like a scene from a high-stakes thriller. Kennedy fled to another house on the same block, taking its occupants hostage. Amidst the tension, he demanded media coverage, releasing the hostages only after ensuring television news crews were on the scene. His brief taste of freedom came to an abrupt end when law enforcement officers arrested him shortly after the standoff.
The Trial and Conviction
Back in custody, Kennedy faced serious charges. Tried on two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of McDermon and Cone, the jury found him guilty, and the court sentenced him to death. Despite the grave nature of his crimes, Kennedy pursued an appeal in 1984, challenging the admissibility of his confession by arguing that he had not been adequately informed of his right to remain silent. The appeal also raised concerns about the exclusion of a venireman, the use of photographic evidence, and the conduct of the prosecutor's closing argument. However, these arguments failed to sway the court, which upheld his death sentence.
A Delayed Execution
Initially scheduled for execution on February 11, 1986, alongside another convicted killer, Paul B. Johnson, Kennedy received a stay of execution from a high court. This temporary reprieve sparked debate and protest outside the prison gates, but ultimately, the legal system pressed on. Despite continued efforts to halt the execution, the supreme court refused another stay, sealing Kennedy's fate.
On July 21, 1992, Edward Dean Kennedy was executed in Florida's electric chair, becoming the 29th inmate executed in the state since the reinstatement of capital punishment in the United States. His partner in the 1978 murder, Oliver Cochran, remained incarcerated until his death on December 19, 2021.
A Grim Legacy
The story of Edward Dean Kennedy is not just one of violent crime but also a narrative of escape, capture, and the relentless pursuit of justice. Kennedy's crimes and eventual execution highlight the complexities and challenges within the American judicial system. His life serves as a chilling reminder of the potential for darkness within the human soul and the ultimate price of such malevolence.
Sources
- Execution List: 1976 - present, Florida Department of Corrections
- "Kennedy executed for double killing," United Press International, July 21, 1992
- "Escapee Who Killed 2 Is Executed in Florida," The New York Times, July 22, 1992
- "Killer Of Three Executed in Florida's Electric Chair," Associated Press, July 21, 1992
- "2 Arrested In McDonald's Holdup Charged In Motel Manager Murder," Fort Lauderdale News, May 26, 1978
- "STAY OF EXECUTION IS GRANTED TO CONVICTED KILLER OF 2 MEN," South Florida Sun-Sentinel, February 15, 1986
- "Kennedy v. State," Justia
- "Inmate Release Information Detail," Florida Department of Corrections
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First Murder Committed
Edward Dean Kennedy and Oliver Cochran murder Robert Brown during a robbery in Miami.
Prison Escape
Kennedy escapes from Union Correctional Institution, while two other inmates are recaptured.
Double Homicide
Kennedy kills Floyd Cone and Robert McDermon after breaking into a home during his escape.
Hostage Situation
Kennedy holds another family hostage after the murders, demanding media coverage.
Arrested
Kennedy is arrested after the hostage situation ends peacefully.
Appeal Dismissed
Kennedy's appeal against his death sentence is dismissed by the court.
Execution
Edward Dean Kennedy is executed by electric chair in Florida.
On April 11, 1981, Edward Dean Kennedy, an inmate serving a life sentence for a prior murder, escaped from the Union Correctional Institution in Florida. Shortly after his escape, he broke into a home in Miami, where he fatally shot Florida Highway Trooper Robert McDermon and his cousin Floyd Cone. Kennedy was apprehended after holding the second homeowners hostage and demanding media coverage of the incident. He was subsequently tried and convicted on two counts of first-degree murder, receiving a death sentence that was upheld despite multiple appeals. Kennedy was executed by electric chair on July 21, 1992, at Florida State Prison.
Edward Dean Kennedy is believed to have committed his murders in a desperate attempt to avoid recapture after escaping from prison. Some speculate that his violent actions were premeditated, as he was found with stolen weapons and had changed clothes before the killings. Additionally, there are theories that his initial life sentence was not enough to deter his criminal behavior, leading to his eventual execution for the subsequent murders.
The Troubling Tale of Edward Dean Kennedy
The Beginning of a Violent Path
Edward Dean Kennedy was born on May 25, 1945, in the United States, and he would eventually become a name synonymous with cold-blooded murder. Known to some by the nickname "Sonny," Kennedy's criminal path began in earnest on May 19, 1978. On that day in Miami, a seemingly routine robbery at a motel turned deadly when 33-year-old clerk Robert Brown was shot and killed. Kennedy, alongside his accomplice Oliver Cochran, was arrested for the crime. Despite the severity of the act, Kennedy managed to avoid the death penalty by convincing the judge of his desire to contribute positively to society. Instead, he received a life sentence and was sent to the Union Correctional Institution.
A Notorious Escape
On April 11, 1981, Edward Kennedy orchestrated a daring escape from the Union Correctional Institution. He was not alone—two other inmates joined him in the breakout. However, the authorities quickly recaptured Kennedy's partners in crime, leaving him the sole fugitive. As Kennedy eluded capture, he broke into a house, seeking weapons and a change of clothes. This break-in turned fatal when the homeowner, Floyd Cone, and his cousin, Robert C. McDermon, a Florida Highway Trooper, unexpectedly returned. Without hesitation, Kennedy shot and killed both men.
His escape continued to unfold like a scene from a high-stakes thriller. Kennedy fled to another house on the same block, taking its occupants hostage. Amidst the tension, he demanded media coverage, releasing the hostages only after ensuring television news crews were on the scene. His brief taste of freedom came to an abrupt end when law enforcement officers arrested him shortly after the standoff.
The Trial and Conviction
Back in custody, Kennedy faced serious charges. Tried on two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of McDermon and Cone, the jury found him guilty, and the court sentenced him to death. Despite the grave nature of his crimes, Kennedy pursued an appeal in 1984, challenging the admissibility of his confession by arguing that he had not been adequately informed of his right to remain silent. The appeal also raised concerns about the exclusion of a venireman, the use of photographic evidence, and the conduct of the prosecutor's closing argument. However, these arguments failed to sway the court, which upheld his death sentence.
A Delayed Execution
Initially scheduled for execution on February 11, 1986, alongside another convicted killer, Paul B. Johnson, Kennedy received a stay of execution from a high court. This temporary reprieve sparked debate and protest outside the prison gates, but ultimately, the legal system pressed on. Despite continued efforts to halt the execution, the supreme court refused another stay, sealing Kennedy's fate.
On July 21, 1992, Edward Dean Kennedy was executed in Florida's electric chair, becoming the 29th inmate executed in the state since the reinstatement of capital punishment in the United States. His partner in the 1978 murder, Oliver Cochran, remained incarcerated until his death on December 19, 2021.
A Grim Legacy
The story of Edward Dean Kennedy is not just one of violent crime but also a narrative of escape, capture, and the relentless pursuit of justice. Kennedy's crimes and eventual execution highlight the complexities and challenges within the American judicial system. His life serves as a chilling reminder of the potential for darkness within the human soul and the ultimate price of such malevolence.
Sources
- Execution List: 1976 - present, Florida Department of Corrections
- "Kennedy executed for double killing," United Press International, July 21, 1992
- "Escapee Who Killed 2 Is Executed in Florida," The New York Times, July 22, 1992
- "Killer Of Three Executed in Florida's Electric Chair," Associated Press, July 21, 1992
- "2 Arrested In McDonald's Holdup Charged In Motel Manager Murder," Fort Lauderdale News, May 26, 1978
- "STAY OF EXECUTION IS GRANTED TO CONVICTED KILLER OF 2 MEN," South Florida Sun-Sentinel, February 15, 1986
- "Kennedy v. State," Justia
- "Inmate Release Information Detail," Florida Department of Corrections
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
First Murder Committed
Edward Dean Kennedy and Oliver Cochran murder Robert Brown during a robbery in Miami.
Prison Escape
Kennedy escapes from Union Correctional Institution, while two other inmates are recaptured.
Double Homicide
Kennedy kills Floyd Cone and Robert McDermon after breaking into a home during his escape.
Hostage Situation
Kennedy holds another family hostage after the murders, demanding media coverage.
Arrested
Kennedy is arrested after the hostage situation ends peacefully.
Appeal Dismissed
Kennedy's appeal against his death sentence is dismissed by the court.
Execution
Edward Dean Kennedy is executed by electric chair in Florida.