Serial-murder trial to be costly

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

The trial of a Cleveland man charged with killing 11 women and dumping their remains around his home could be one of the county’s costliest.

Payments of $104,000 for defense witnesses for defendant Anthony Sowell already have been approved as of last week, with the trial in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court still months off.

Lawyers for Sowell, who are paid $95 an hour, are working with a mental-health expert, investigators and forensic consultants, among others.

Judge Dick Ambrose has asked the county jury commission to provide 200 prospective jurors.

The 50-year-old Sowell has pleaded innocent to killing the women. His trial is scheduled for September.

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