High court denies stay for Cooey

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR

COLUMBUS — Convicted killer Richard Cooey is one step closer to his date with Ohio’s death chamber after his call for a stay of execution was denied by the Ohio Supreme Court.

“[Cooey] is running out of cards to play,” said Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh. “In 1986, he viciously and senselessly raped and murdered two bright, vibrant young women who were attending the University of Akron. Cooey devastated countless people that day — altering forever the lives of those who knew and loved Wendy Offredo and Dawn McCreery — and has spent more than two decades since trying to escape his punishment.”

Walsh said Thursday that Cooey’s execution would put an end to the “22-year legal battle.” Cooey is scheduled to be executed Tuesday.

He has been fighting his execution based on his size and alleged errors made during his trial.

Cooey also has appeals filed with the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati.

“We are hopeful [the federal appellate court’s] decision will not delay Cooey’s execution,” Walsh said.