Hamilton Co. serial killer could get new sentencing hearing

Convicted serial killer Anthony Kirkland could wind up back in a Hamilton County courtroom for the first time since he was sentenced to death.As first reported Wednesday on WLWT.com, an appeal ruling issued by the Ohio Supreme Court granted a motion for a new sentencing hearing, but the prosecutor’s office is asking for clarification on that ruling.Kirkland was convicted of multiple counts of murder and sent to Ohio’s death row in March 2010. Among Kirkland’s victims was 13-year-old Esme Kenney, who was found dead in March 2009.He was also convicted of killing three other women dating back to 2006.According to Mark Piepmeier with the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s office, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled on an appeal by Kirkland’s defense team last week.Piepmeier said that appeal was based on a decision from the United States Supreme Court about death penalty sentencing procedures out of Florida.Piepmeier said the prosecutor’s office will file a response to the ruling, asking the Ohio Supreme Court to reconsider the ruling or offer some clarification on the decision.If the Ohio Supreme Court decision stands, Kirkland could wind up back in Hamilton County with a jury once again deciding whether he should be sent to death row.

Convicted serial killer Anthony Kirkland could wind up back in a Hamilton County courtroom for the first time since he was sentenced to death.



As first reported Wednesday on WLWT.com, an appeal ruling issued by the Ohio Supreme Court granted a motion for a new sentencing hearing, but the prosecutor’s office is asking for clarification on that ruling.



Kirkland was convicted of multiple counts of murder and sent to Ohio’s death row in March 2010. Among Kirkland’s victims was 13-year-old Esme Kenney, who was found dead in March 2009.



He was also convicted of killing three other women dating back to 2006.



According to Mark Piepmeier with the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s office, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled on an appeal by Kirkland’s defense team last week.



Piepmeier said that appeal was based on a decision from the United States Supreme Court about death penalty sentencing procedures out of Florida.



Piepmeier said the prosecutor’s office will file a response to the ruling, asking the Ohio Supreme Court to reconsider the ruling or offer some clarification on the decision.



If the Ohio Supreme Court decision stands, Kirkland could wind up back in Hamilton County with a jury once again deciding whether he should be sent to death row.

