Ohio court upholds death sentence for man who fatally stabbed girlfriend's business partner
7/10/2014COLUMBUS — A divided Ohio Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence of a man who fatally stabbed his girlfriend’s business partner in an argument over a forged check.
The court’s 4-3 ruling Thursday rejected claims by condemned killer Gregory Osie that he didn’t deserve to die for killing David Williams in southwest Ohio’s Butler County in 2009.
Writing for the majority, Justice Sharon Kennedy backed prosecutors’ arguments that Osie feared Williams might press charges over money missing from Williams’ business.
At issue was the portion of Ohio law allowing the death penalty for killings committed to eliminate witnesses.
Three justices said the evidence wasn’t strong enough that the 52-year-old Osie killed Williams to silence him.
Osie’s attorney says she expects to ask the court to reconsider its decision.