An Ohio inmate sentenced to death was found hanged just days before his execution date. Hit the jump for details!
44 year old Billy Slagle, an inmate convicted of fatally stabbing his neighbor during a burglary was found dead, hanged in his cell Sunday morning. The man was declared dead within an hour and prison spokeswoman JoEllen Smith stated that it does appear to be a suicide, ” He was in his cell alone, No other inmates suspected to be involved”. Although he was scheduled to be placed under pre-execution watch, the inmate was “not yet placed under constant watch” Smith continued. His execution date was set for Wednesday August, 7th.
He was convicted at 18 years old when he committed the act of running into his neighbors house, conducting a burglary and killing the owner of the house. He stabled the victim Mari Anne Pope 17 times with a pair of scissors. Although his attorneys fought for a new trial and the Cleveland prosecutor even asked the Cleveland Parole Board to spare the man’s life, Slagle was sentenced to the death penalty. Slagles attorney also added in their argument that:
“at 18, he was barely old enough for execution in Ohio — and his history of alcohol and drug addiction”.
Via CBSNews
