Death sentence of Warren man upheld

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Davie Roderick

WARREN — A federal appeals court has upheld the death sentence of a Warren man convicted of killing two former co-workers at a veterinary supply warehouse in Warren in 1991.

Roderick Davie, 37, is now one step closer to execution.

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, based in Cincinnati, has denied Davie’s appeal of his death sentence.

Davie argued his conviction was flawed because he had been illegally questioned by police, as well as because of misconduct by prosecutors and deficient jury instructions.

Davie’s defense lawyers said Davie’s confession to killing John Coleman and Tracey Jefferys and injuring William Everett on June 27, 1991, at Veterinary Companies of America of Warren, was coerced because police questioned him four times over about six hours.

For the complete story, see Thursday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.