State v. Short

{¶ 1} This is an appeal as of right by defendant-appellant, Duane Short. A jury found Short guilty of the aggravated murders of Rhonda Short and Donnie Sweeney. He was sentenced to death for both offenses.

Factual Background

{¶ 2} Evidence introduced at trial showed that Duane and Rhonda Short were married and lived on Staton Street in Lemon Township, Middletown, Ohio, with their three children, Justin, Tiffany, and Jesse (born in 1990, 1992, and 1995 respectively). Short worked as a meat cutter for McGee Supermarket.

{¶ 3} There was testimony at trial that Rhonda Short attended church and…