Elisa Nelson Murder: FL Supreme Court Denies Killer's Request

Florida's Supreme Court has denied one of multiple arguments filed by attorneys for death row inmate Larry Eugene Mann, 59, who are seeking a review of his case. Mann was convicted in the 1980 murder of 10-year-old Palm Harbor resident Elisa Nelson.

He is scheduled to be executed at 6 p.m. April 10.

The court denied a request filed by Mann's attorneys March 25, according to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi's Press Secretary John Lucas. Mann's attorneys filed multiple requests, some of which have not been resolved and are still in the court system, according to Lucas.

Mann was convicted in 1981 of first-degree murder and kidnapping in connection with Nelson's death. The Palm Harbor Middle school student vanished Nov. 4, 1980 on her way to school. She was late for school because of a dentist appointment and was carrying a tardy note from her mother. 

Police and community members started searching for Nelson after her bike was found in a ditch a mile away from Palm Harbor Middle School on the same day that she disappeared. Her body was found in a Palm Harbor orange grove the following day.

State documents say the young girl died from skull fracture that may have been caused by a single blow to the head. A cement-encased pipe was found nearby. Nelson's neck had also been cut in two places. There were no signs of molestation on her body.

Mann, who has a history of pedophilia and psychotic depressions, attempted to commit suicide on the same day that Nelson disappeared by slashing both of his forearms, according to state documents. Police responded, and Mann told them he had "done something stupid and needed help." 

A few days later, Mann's wife discovered Nelson's blood-stained tardy note in her husband's 1957 Chevy pickup truck. A friend reported Mrs. Mann's discovery to the police, who issued a search warrant for Mann's home and truck. Detectives found a bloodstain with the same blood type as Mann and Nelson. Police arrested Mann on Nov. 10, 1980.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed the death warrant for Larry Mann earlier this month. He is scheduled to die by lethal injection.

Related-

• What Death Row is Like for Man Who Murdered Palm Harbor Girl

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