Final interview: Cooey rails against lethal injection

YOUNGSTOWN — An Ohio man sentenced to die next month for the grisly rape and murder of two college students more than 20 years ago said he did not kill the women, or anyone else.

Richard Wade Cooey II blasted prosecutors for investigating allegations that he murdered another man (a misunderstanding stemming from something he said five years ago while awaiting execution), railed against lethal injection and state-sponsored capital punishment and countered suggestions that he’s seeking a delay based solely on his weight.

“I did not beat these girls,” he said. “Yeah, I’m supposed to be in prison for what I did. I’m not denying that. I didn’t do the beatings in this case, and it can be proven scientifically, not just from what I’m saying. ... It can be proven.”

Cooey, scheduled for execution on Oct. 14, spoke to a representative of the Ohio Legislative Correspondents Association Tuesday during an interview at the Ohio State Penitentiary in Youngstown.

For details, see Thursday's Vindicator or Vindy.com.