Death in the Dorms Season 2 focuses on the shocking case of Latasha Norman, a promising student senselessly murdered by her abusive boyfriend. The Hulu docuseries explores horrifying cases of violence against U.S. college students. The sixth episode of Season 2 is devoted to Latasha and her story.
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Who is Latasha Norman?
Latasha Norman was a hard-working and promising student at Jackson State University. The twenty-year-old was studying accounts but also threw herself into other activities at the facility. Latasha was a writer for the student newspaper, and it was reported in the Clarion Ledger that she was a devout Christian. In 2007, Latasha would be in an on-off relationship with Stanley Cole, and it was this abusive relationship that would lead to her death.
What happened to Latasha Norman?
Natasha’s body would be found in a woodland area located North of Jackson on November the 29th, 2007. The last sighting of Latasha would be on November 13th when she was seen with Cole in the parking lot of a restaurant. It was reported that Cole would violently strike Latasha on the head, an act that would lead to her death.
Cole’s attorney would say: “Stanley Cole delivered one punch to Latasha Norman’s head and he says she was unconscious. He didn’t know if she was dead at that point or not. It was a one-punch homicide.” However, it was eventually determined that Latasha had been stabbed. An article on the case from WLBT3 would state:
“Twenty-year-old Jackson State student Latasha Norman was stabbed in the chest, then stuffed in the trunk of her own car. Cole then drove that car around for days before dumping her body in a north Jackson wooded area.”
Stanley Cole would be arrested and placed in jail after Latasha’s body was found.
Where is Stanley Cole now?
Distractify confirms that Stanley Cole is currently being housed at the East Mississippi Correctional Facility, where he is serving a forty-year manslaughter charge.
Cole was initially sentenced to life in prison. However, his attorney would file a motion that would allow jurors to consider a lesser charge of manslaughter. This was denied by the judge presiding over the case. However, Cole was eventually given another trial, and he pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of manslaughter. The charges against him led to the sentence being reduced to forty years, and six of those he had already served.
What happened as a result of Latasha’s death?
In memory of Latasha, JSU’s Division of Student Affairs established the Latasha Norman Centre for Counselling and Disability Services, which sponsors an annual event, a 5K run/walk to advocate for the prevention of domestic abuse. It also offers an opportunity for people to hear about Latasha from her parents. The yearly event is known as a “Celebration of Life: Putting an End to Domestic Violence”.
Danny Bolden, Latasha Norman’s stepfather, poses for a photo with participants in a past Latasha Norman Fun/Run Walk | Image via Jackson State University
The case would lead to a campaign against domestic violence, and to a huge increase in awareness of abusive relationships, with measures and procedures put in place to help those suffering in toxic relationships, and providing extra training for the authorities that have to deal with reports.
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