Autopsy set for Ohio killer found hanged in cell

[August 05, 2013]  COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- An autopsy is expected to be performed Monday for a condemned Ohio killer found hanged in his death row cell just three days before his execution.

Prisons spokeswoman JoEllen Smith says 44-year-old Billy Slagle was found early Sunday at the Chillicothe (chihl-ih-KAHTH'-ee) Correctional Institution south of Columbus. He was declared dead about an hour later.

Slagle was sentenced to die for fatally stabling neighbor Mari Anne Pope in 1987 during a Cleveland burglary while two young children were present.

An attorney for Slagle says the defense had hoped to stop his Wednesday execution. Vicki Werneke says the defense had no warning that Slagle might commit suicide.

Mike Ratliff, chief investigator for the Ross County coroner, says the case is under investigation and no initial findings could be provided.

[Associated Press]

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