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Clemency hearing today for Akron killer, rapist
By Phil Trexler
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Monday, Aug 25, 2008
More than five years ago, Richard Wade Cooey was primed for execution.
In the summer of 2003, his clemency was denied by then-Gov. Bob Taft and weeks later, he was moved to the death-house cell at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility near Lucasville.
He ate his last meal as the family of one of his victims checked into a hotel. Three of them anticipated witnessing his death.
But on the evening before he was to be executed, Cooey won a stay from a federal judge. What was thought to be a momentary delay turned into five years.
Today, the clock begins to run again as a clemency hearing is scheduled to take place in Columbus.
Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh will once again argue for execution,
just as she did at the 2003 hearing. She said finality is needed after more than two decades.
''The argument is the same,'' Walsh said. ''After 22 years, it's time to put an end to all of this. It's too long for the victims' family to go through this.''
Cooey, 41, a former Akron resident, is scheduled to die by injection Oct. 14. He has appealed, alleging he is too obese to be executed without enduring pain. The case is in U.S. District Court.
A three-judge panel sentenced him to death in November 1986 for the kidnapping, rape and murders of University of Akron juniors Wendy Offredo, 21, and Dawn McCreery, 20.
At today's hearing, members of the Ohio Parole Authority will hear arguments for and against Cooey's execution. They will then vote in private and forward the recommendation to Gov. Ted Strickland.
In 2003, the hearing took about four hours as prosecutors, defense lawyers and family members from all sides spoke to the panel.
Death row inmates are not permitted to attend. Cooey was interviewed by the board Aug. 14.
Five years ago, court-appointed attorneys sought mercy by presenting evidence of Cooey's poor and abusive childhood: His soiled diapers were rubbed in his face during potty training. He was struck in the head with a hammer by his father for misbehaving.
The attorneys said Cooey had his first taste of beer at age 5 and was ''high almost every day'' on a variety of drugs during his teenage years.
Prison, however, has helped Cooey discover his ''moral compass,'' they said.
Walsh said she will offer many of the same gruesome facts and disturbing crime-scene photos that were shown five years ago. She will also talk about Cooey's ill-fated escape attempt in 2005.
Cooey and childhood friend Clinton Dickens, then 17, were convicted of killing the UA women.
From an Akron overpass, Cooey and Dickens tossed a concrete slab onto Interstate 77, striking and disabling Offredo's car. The men drove up to the car under the pretense of offering help, but then drove the sorority sisters to a remote area, where the women were raped and bludgeoned.
Cooey contends he did not directly take part in the beatings and that he is guilty only of rape and not stopping Dickens' attack. Dickens is serving two life sentences.
Phil Trexler can be reached at 330-996-3717 or ptrexler@thebeaconjournal.com.
More than five years ago, Richard Wade Cooey was primed for execution.
Get the full article here.
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