State v. Cowans

[This opinion has been published in Ohio Official Reports at 87 Ohio St.3d 68.] THE STATE OF OHIO, APPELLEE, v. COWANS, APPELLANT. [Cite as State v. Cowans,

1999-Ohio-250.] Criminal law—Aggravated murder—Death penalty upheld, when. (No. 97-1312—Submitted December 2, 1998—Decided October 20, 1999.) APPEAL from the Court of Common Pleas of Clermont County, No. 96-CR-005394. __________________ {¶ 1} Jessie J. Cowans, appellant, was convicted of the aggravated murder of Clara Swart and sentenced to death. {¶ 2} Mrs. Swart, a sixty-nine-year-old widow, lived alone in a rural section of Clermont…