Murder trial delayed in Cleveland case

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

A man charged with killing 11 women and dumping their remains around his home won a 21/2-month trial delay Thursday to allow his attorneys to pursue and check favorable evidence.

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Dick Ambrose pushed back the Feb. 14 trial of Anthony Sowell, 51, until May 2. The defense had asked for a postponement until July.

Sowell, dressed in an orange jail jump suit and with his wrists and ankles in manacles, mostly sat pokerfaced during the hearing, but quickly nodded when the judge asked if he would accept a later trial.

Sowell responded, “Yes, sir,” and “No, sir,” when the judge asked standard questions on waiving his right to a quick trial.

It was the third time the trial has been delayed.

Assistant Prosecutor Richard Bombik said he was disappointed, in part because the delay would disappoint the victims’ relatives.

John Parker, one of Sowell’s attorneys, described for the judge the unfinished defense work, including the likelihood that a trial next month would preclude the defense from reviewing 68,000 video clips from security cameras at a sausage shop next to Sowell’s Cleveland home. The defense hopes the clips provide evidence in Sowell’s favor.

In addition, the defense is trying to find Sowell’s school records among hundreds of unsorted boxes for any clues to issues that might aid the defense, Parker said.

The defense also has hired consultants to research Sowell’s background for any information that could persuade a jury to spare his life if he is convicted.

“We’re working very hard. We’re talking to a lot of people,” Parker said. But some people have balked at talking to the defense because of the notoriety of the case, he said.

Sowell has pleaded not guilty and could face the death penalty if convicted.

The remains of 10 women and a skull were found in Sowell’s home and buried in the yard after police went to arrest him in 2009 on a sexual assault allegation.