Suspect in killing of mom, kids pleads not guilty


September 28, 2012 at 2:24p.m.

Suspect in killing of mom, kids pleads not guilty

SANDUSKY, Ohio (AP) — A convicted felon charged with strangling a northern Ohio woman and her two young children has pleaded not guilty.

Curtis Clinton is charged with killing 23-year-old Heather Jackson, her 3-year-old daughter Celina and 18-month-old son Wayne at their Sandusky home earlier this month. He could face the death penalty if convicted.

The 41-year-old Clinton appeared in court for a brief arraignment Thursday. He waived the reading of the indictment, which includes two rape charges unrelated the slayings.

Clinton previously spent 13 years in prison after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the strangling death of another woman in northwest Ohio.

The Sandusky Register reports that 14 of Jackson’s family members and friends showed up for court Thursday wearing pink and purple ribbons.