[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----TEXAS, OHIO

[Rick Halperin]

April 15



TEXAS:


Executions under Greg Abbott, Jan. 21, 2015-present----19

Executions in Texas: Dec. 7, 1982----present-----537

Abbott#--------scheduled execution date-----name------------Tx. #

20---------June 2-------------------Charles Flores--------538

21---------June 21------------------Robert Roberson-------539

22---------July 14------------------Perry Williams--------540

23---------August 10----------------Ramiro Gonzales-------541

24---------August 23----------------Robert Pruett---------542

25---------August 31----------------Rolando Ruiz----------543

26---------September 14-------------Robert Jennings-------544

27---------October 19---------------Terry Edwards---------545

(sources: TDCJ & Rick Halperin)






OHIO:

Opening arguments to begin in trial of Ohio man charged with killing 3 women


Opening arguments are slated to begin on Friday in the trial of an Ohio man who 
may face a death sentence after being charged with killing 3 women and wrapping 
their bodies in garbage bags.

Michael Madison, 38, faces 14 charges that include kidnapping, gross abuse of a 
corpse, rape and murder in the deaths of Shetisha Sheeley, 28; Angela Deskins, 
38; and 18-year-old Shirellda Terry.

Jury selection in Cuyahoga County Court in downtown Cleveland has taken nearly 
2 weeks, and prosecutors plan to call 50 witnesses in the trial, which is 
expected to last for an additional 3 weeks. Repeated motions by Madison's 
lawyer for a mistrial have been denied.

East Cleveland Police found the 1st of the 3 women in July 2013 after 
responding to a complaint about foul odors coming from a garage behind 
Madison's apartment. The bodies of 2 more women were discovered nearby the next 
day.

Madison was arrested at his mother's Cleveland home after a 2-hour standoff 
with police.

He pleaded not guilty in 2013 and has been held on a $6 million bond since his 
arrest.

Madison was previously arrested in 2001 for kidnapping, attempted rape and 
gross sexual imposition. He pleaded guilty to attempted rape in 2002 and was 
sentenced to 4 years in prison, according to court documents.

Defense lawyers were granted a motion in February to prevent county prosecutors 
from comparing Madison with Anthony Sowell, who was convicted of raping and 
killing 11 women and wrapping their bodies in plastic bags before disposing of 
them in and around his East Cleveland home.

(source: Reuters)