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Richard Cooey is scheduled to die 22 years after murders
By Phil Trexler
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Monday, Oct 13, 2008
The summer of '86 was winding down through the Labor Day weekend.
An Akron councilman named Don Plusquellic was hitting the parade routes, making his first run for mayor. A toddler named LeBron was running toward his second birthday.
Gasoline was less than a buck, the Dow hovered around 1,900 and Jerry Lewis was raising a record $34 million at his annual telethon.
In Bath Township, University of Akron juniors Wendy Offredo and Dawn McCreery were changing from their waitressing garb after an evening serving diners at the Brown Derby.
Eight miles down Interstate 77, Army Pvt. Richard Wade Cooey was on leave, drinking and getting high with his friends.
The lives of the sorority sisters would tragically collide with Cooey and his friends just past the Copley Road exit of I-77.
Kidnapping, robbery, rape and murder ensued.
What happened that night to McCreery and Offredo — the randomness, the viciousness — shocked and offended Northeast Ohioans.
The state is poised to execute Cooey at 10 a.m. Tuesday.
Cooey found himself in the same situation five years ago. He was within 12 hours of execution, his lawyers and McCreery's family gathered at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility near Lucasville, when Cooey won a stay.
''I'm sure there will be a lot of tears involved. Whether they're happy tears or not, I don't know,'' said Robert McCreery Jr., the victim's brother, who will witness the execution. ''I'm just looking forward to not speaking [Cooey's] name again.''
Fun weekend planned
Dawn McCreery and Offredo were on their way to the Portage Lakes to celebrate what was left of Labor Day weekend 1986.
As their black Pontiac Fiero sports car passed under the Stoner Street pedestrian bridge on I-77, a 35-pound concrete slab smashed through the windshield.
On the walkway looking down was Cooey, then 19. With him was a Buchtel High senior he barely knew named Clint Dickens, and a friend named Kenneth Horonetz.
It was Dickens, 17, who tossed the slab at the urging of his companions. The three teens saw the Fiero pull over and they went to help.
After Offredo's mother was reached by phone, the teens concocted a plan to rob the women.
''As I spoke to Wendy, I asked to speak to one of the boys. Richard Cooey got on the phone,'' Offredo's mother, Geri Muck,recalled in a 2003 interview.
''I thanked him for helping the girls, and I told him that I would meet them back on the highway at her car.
''He never responded. I said again, 'You will bring her back to her car,' and in the most unemotional voice I have ever heard, he said 'Yes.'
''I said to my husband, 'Get dressed, quickly. Something's not right. I talked to one of the boys, and his voice was so cold.' ''
National notoriety
Horonetz, 18, backed out of the plan, but Cooey and Dickens forged ahead.
The robbery turned into a kidnapping, which turned into rape, which ended in strangling and bludgeoning. An X was carved into each woman's abdomen. It all lasted more than three hours.
The women's bodies were found the next day by hikers in a field in Norton. The news went national.
''It was shocking,'' said Tammy Brown, an Alpha Delta Pi sorority sister of the women in 1986. ''For this to happen to two girls so young was awful. It's just unbelievable.''
Cooey's bragging got him arrested; he identified Dickens as his accomplice.
Dickens was tried as an adult, but was not eligible for the death penalty. He pleaded no contest and is serving a life sentence.
Cooey was given a death sentence, a move that triggered years of appeals and a string of public defenders.
Victims' stories
Dawn Marie McCreery was a North Ridgeville High School graduate who moved to Akron to study fashion and marketing at UA. Wendy Jo Offredo was a Firestone High School graduate.
Cooey was, according to his attorneys, the product of an abusive home. Chubby, freckle-faced and red-haired, he used drugs and alcohol before he entered Stow High School. His parents divorced when he was about 11 and he found comfort with his grandmother, Audrey Cooey, in Akron.
Dickens was the classic underachiever, a bright kid whose grades never matched his brains.
Cooey has claimed from prison that he does not deserve to die. He maintains it was Dickens who delivered the fatal blows to the women.
Dickens, despite no risk of an increased sentence, has refused to assist Cooey in his appeals by accepting responsibility.
Cooey's pleas to have a court reopen his case have repeatedly been denied. Most recently, his appeals have focused on the three-drug injection method Ohio uses to execute condemned inmates. Cooey contends his obesity does not allow adequate access to his veins.
One drug puts the inmate to sleep, the second paralyzes and the third stops the heart. Death penalty opponents contend the procedure causes unknown pain because of the paralysis involved.
Five losses
In the last several weeks, Cooey has lost appeals in five courts.
In 2003, a federal judge granted his stay, determining that Cooey had been without legal representation in the weeks leading up to his execution date. Earlier that year, a federal appeals court removed two of his attorneys, alleging overbilling and the filing of frivolous claims.
Dana Cole, a UA law professor and one of several attorneys now working on Cooey's case, said the appeal process is winding down. Cooey's attorneys have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene.
Through a five-year relationship, Cole said, he believes Cooey has changed and is not the monster prosecutors have made him out to be. He said he and Cooey have become friends.
''I certainly did not go into this with the idea of befriending Rick,'' he said. ''I was surprised by the man I discovered.''
At least two members of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority plan to be in Lucasville for the execution. Brown and sorority sister Melissa Wenk Wilkinson made a pact 22 years ago to be outside the prison when Cooey is executed.
Brown said the pledge was made to honor McCreery and Offredo. Now adults with children, the women also want to pay tribute to the parents of Offredo and McCreery.
''It started as a promise to keep their memories alive,'' Brown said. ''Now, it's more to show their mothers that we haven't forgotten their daughters.
''My pain shifted from what happened to a friend of mine to what tremendous pain their mothers must feel all the time.''
Phil Trexler can be reached at 330-996-3717 or ptrexler@thebeaconjournal.com.
The summer of '86 was winding down through the Labor Day weekend.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Posted 02:41 AM, 10/13/2008
I can hardly wait for them to do this a**hole. Its been a long time coming. He didn't care what pain those girls went through. I'm just sad they didn't cook him in the electric chair. It's my birthday tomorrow the 14th and all I want is for the state to fix his worthless a** for good. I can't understand why they didn't cook him 20 years ago.
WADSWORTH, OH
Posted 05:37 AM, 10/13/2008
and now this blubber boy sits nervously awaiting his last meal,thinking about all the wrong he posed in his life that HE could have changed himself-tick-tock,tick-tock.....thats all folks...
Posted 05:46 AM, 10/13/2008
bye fatty fat fatty, yes you have change for the good yeah and i have some land in florida cheap
what a waste of time and money keeping this fatty fat fatty alive for all these years
Posted 07:22 AM, 10/13/2008
an earlier article had said he would be transported on either sunday or monday...anyone know if that has happened yet...just wanna see this plan put into action, only 26 1/2 hrs away...lets hope this finally happens
Posted 07:38 AM, 10/13/2008
My heart goes out to the girls families, I can only imagine your grief. Great article, going back to 1986 was a nice touch. But I am sooo sick of hearing this monsters sob story, like he's the victim-yeah right! They should have executed this pig 22 yrs ago. He's had 22 more yrs than those poor girls did. I can only imagine how painful this is for the girls families, to keep hearing the BS from this heathen after he showed no mercy for the girls.
If our jusice system was harsher on it's criminals instead of giving them more rights than their victims, maybe there wouldn't be as much crime.
An eye for an eye would make them think twice before they committed such heinous acts- like you get caught stealing: cut off a hand. You get caught raping: Castration time! You kill: you get killed(after being tortured of course)!!
But no, in this country if you rape, torture, and kill: you get free housing, free legal counsel, and the opportunity to gorge yourself for 22 yrs, so you can then claim we made you too fat to be executed humanely!! What a CROCK!!
If there was any real justice in this country, this pig should have been executed already, not given so much publicity, like anyone really feels sorry for him!? Doubt it!! Get on with it already, he's a fat-a$$ piece of crap who doesn't deserve the air he breathes, let alone all this publicity, and the stays of execution so he can gorge himself at our expense! What a pig! He deserves to suffer, who cares if he gets poked more than once to find a vein-who cares!? Just get on with it, he did a heck of alot worse to the girls!
Posted 08:12 AM, 10/13/2008
Sounds like a good time to go to the prison, have a tailgate party to celebrate the GREATLY deserved and MASSIVLY delayed justice.
Posted 08:14 AM, 10/13/2008
Through a five-year relationship, Cole said, he believes Cooey has changed and is not the monster prosecutors have made him out to be. He said he and Cooey have become friends.
Who cares? For 3 hours he was an animal and if he had any backbone he wouldn't be alive today. Just the thought that he is fighting to stay alive and still not accepting responsibility shows what a complete jerk this guy is. I hope he can feel all the pain that comes with being executed and i hope it's severe. What he did to so many peoples lives by his own actions makes me wish they would tie his body between 2 cars and slowly and painfully rip his body apart while he suffers.
Posted 08:57 AM, 10/13/2008
End this thing tomorrow and let these poor families have their closure. This fat-aced scumbag and his lawyers have made them suffer for 22 years. END IT TOMORROW !!
Posted 09:45 AM, 10/13/2008
changed !!!!!!!!! he is just using it to save his fat butt. I say an eye for an eye .he should have been executed the day after he was found guilty and saved us taxpayers our money!!!!!!!!!
akron, oh
Posted 10:33 AM, 10/13/2008
Please kill this guy already before he dies of old age....
Posted 10:36 AM, 10/13/2008
good bye
Posted 10:44 AM, 10/13/2008
I'm glad the families will at last have some type of closure. They have had to wait a long time...too long. It won't bring back their daughters, but at least they'll know one of the monsters who was responsible will be gone.
Posted 10:48 AM, 10/13/2008
What a waste of human flesh
Posted 10:51 AM, 10/13/2008
No one has the right to kill anyone..Not Cooey and not the judge who sentenced him to die, 2 wrongs dont make a right, and killing this chubby chubs does no one any good. Let him rot in prison
Posted 11:01 AM, 10/13/2008
Well, it's about time. what a waste of taxpayers money to allow this scum of the earth to live so long and then complain he is to fat to have an injection. what instrument did he use on the girls, that is what he deserves, too. My condolences to the family of the girls. closure at this time is much needed. shame on our justice system for letting these scum lawyers keep this going for so long. how in the world did he gain weight being in prison so long. bread and water would have been entirely enough.
Stow, OH
Posted 11:17 AM, 10/13/2008
Good riddance,I just wish the courts in 1986 were as gunhoe as they are today about trying 17 yr. olds who do crimes like this .
Posted 11:56 AM, 10/13/2008
Just be glad Sherri Walsh wasn't around back then to plea bargain with this guy. She would have plea bargained in a second like she did with Earl Mann who committed ever far worse crimes. Vote for Morrison for Prosecutor
Akron, Oh
Posted 12:47 PM, 10/13/2008
Lets see.... he is not the monster prosecutors have made him out to be .... he has changed.
Really ?? Take him out drinking and partying and then let him have 3 hours alone with your loved one Dana...
WILLING TO TAKE THE CHANCE HE HAS REALLY CHANGED ????
Copley, OH
Posted 02:06 PM, 10/13/2008
Hey John -- are you serious? What if this was your daughter? Would you feel the same way? Crime stats would be much lower if we would execute more. Too bad it's not public!
Copley, OH
Posted 02:08 PM, 10/13/2008
Sorry -- but John you are just a plain idiot. Why don't you and Dana get together.
Posted 02:36 PM, 10/13/2008
did you hear what he want's for last meal,he should not get a last meal if he is worried that they can't find a vain,
Akron, OH
Posted 02:37 PM, 10/13/2008
I agree with Bob. Very well said!!!
Boston Hts, Oh
Posted 02:43 PM, 10/13/2008
Good Nite Richie!!
Posted 03:03 PM, 10/13/2008
You all should be ashamed of yourself, how can you celebrate the killing of anyone? I am not against the death penalty, I believe in an eye for an eye, but to be happy, and joyous about something so violent and tragic is sick and demented.
Posted 03:15 PM, 10/13/2008
My sister was brutally tortured, raped, robbed and dismembered by Kenneth Biros, who also sits on death row. This is pathetic to have to wait so long for justice. How are these inmates, who are supposedly there to be punished, getting so damn fat anyway?? What in the world are our taxpaying dollars feeding them? They obviously eat better than the average working people! We were within hours of execution last January when Biros received a last minute stay. I know what these poor girls families are going through. I hope this helps them with their healing and I hope it will be one step closer for our family to finally be dignified with justice. My prayers and thoughts are with them.
Posted 04:44 PM, 10/13/2008
He has been moved...looks like it will actually happen..i will be tuning in tomorrow to hear that it's a done deal!!
Posted 04:53 PM, 10/13/2008
I am glad that this is finally going to take place. He has had 22 years of "mercy". I as a tax payer am tired of supporting these murderers,while they have a warm dry place to stay and hot meals. I worry about my grandkids with these freaks on the street. Get rid of them all!!!
akron, oh
Posted 05:23 PM, 10/13/2008
the tax payers of ohio have paid on this piece of scum for 22 years now, just put the neddles in and let the drugs do their job--don't care if it takes an extra 5 minutes to find the right vein he sure didn't take time to kill these girls.any one out there that is a bleeding heart needs to get a life and relize that guys like him are going to prey on all humans and this needs to stop now.
akron, oh
Posted 05:25 PM, 10/13/2008
to Scott--post 12:03 I'm not celebrating his death-I'm celebrating 'cause this is one less mouth(or may 2 or3) to feed in prison!
Posted 05:36 PM, 10/13/2008
Dana, you are a piece of work. I agree with Bob. Hey why don't you go and party with him tonight. Lets see if you make it out with out being raped, bludgeoned. How do you sleep at night, knowing you have befriended a murder? Oh and I'm not happy about this. I'm thankful the world will be a little safer for my family.
Posted 08:01 PM, 10/13/2008
Justice will finally be served. Can't believe its taken this long!
Posted 08:05 PM, 10/13/2008
its about time
Posted 09:16 PM, 10/13/2008
little more than 12 hrs now hope he enjoyed all of that food,I will watch news net 5 tomorrow to see how long it took.
Posted 11:31 PM, 10/13/2008
What a waste of a good steak.
Posted 11:39 PM, 10/13/2008
No matter what you believe, God has the last word and it sounds like the lake of fire to me.
Posted 07:42 AM, 10/14/2008
I have no respect for Dana Cole. To involve himself in such an idiotic appeal based on his client's obesity snd his comments that Cooey is not a monster are so offensive. He's become your friend Mr Cole? That says a lot about him and as taxpayers we are paying this professor's salary at Akron U.I hope not one phone call was made from his Akron U office on behalf of the appeal. And why didn't prison offials put this obese man on a 1200 calorie a day diet if he was too fat. It's not like Cooey had access to a fridge.
And to Debra..what a heartbreaking post. I am sorry for all your suffering and pain.
Posted 07:45 AM, 10/14/2008
I find it amusing that someone about to be euthanized gets a psychological evaluation?? I think all of us could tell you murders aren't right.... Plus, he says he's too fat so we feed him more than I could eat in a day, for ONE MEAL!!??? He should've been given a Jenny Craig meal....
I do hope this brings some relief to the victims family.....
Posted 07:50 AM, 10/14/2008
We took care of him way too long!
Posted 08:00 AM, 10/14/2008
Why does he deserve to be killed in a non cruel way, when he didn't kill those 2 girls that way. All I have to say is Public Hanging, that would put a stop to a lot of these murders and rapings.
Posted 08:13 AM, 10/14/2008
Death....is Death.
Posted 08:31 AM, 10/14/2008
All the people in this state/world who are starving and this guy gets to eat more than a normal human would eat in a week at tax payers expense. He should've eaten his last meal 5 years ago!
Posted 09:01 AM, 10/14/2008
Are those of you who support the death penalty naive enough to believe Cooey was concerned about being put to death when he committed this crime? My guess is he assumed that he wouldn't get caught. Why can't we be like the rest of the civilized nations, most of whom enjoy a lower crime rate than the U.S., and abolish this savage practice?
Posted 09:46 AM, 10/14/2008
Bridget, may I ask...what then...do you suggest we do with killers? I personally wish for death, as soon as convicted.
Boston Hts, Oh
Posted 10:14 AM, 10/14/2008
Dawn & Wendy... Rest In Peace!
Justice was served today.
Boston Hts, Oh
Posted 10:43 AM, 10/14/2008
NewOld...The problem with "death as soon as convicted" is that the "system " is terribly flawed!! Look up cases like "Clarence Elkins" in summit county, or "Bob Gondor" or "Randy Resh" in Portage County...These men would have been executed for crimes they didnt commit.
In Cooeys case...He had extinguished any "real" claims of appeal years ago and should have been gone in 2005...May he rot in hell for what he's done!!
Akron, OH
Posted 05:46 PM, 10/31/2008
Time to go. An eye for an eye a tooth for tooth.
When you take lives you should give yours also. It's been a long time coming...get on with it.
