Prosecutor Considering Pursuing Death Penalty For Man Accused In Murders Of Woman, Child
Follow KDKA-TV: Facebook | Twitter
LYNDHURST, Ohio (AP) - A grand jury has indicted a man accused of setting fire to a suburban Cleveland home and killing a woman and her 8-year-old daughter.
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O'Malley said Friday his office is considering pursuing the death penalty against 27-year-old Dominique Swopes, of Mayfield Heights, in what he called a "senseless" killing.
Swopes is charged with aggravated murder, aggravated arson and other counts in the Nov. 20 deaths of his neighbors.
Authorities say 41-year-old Rebecca Pletnewski was fatally stabbed before her home was set on fire and her daughter, 8-year-old Olivia Schneider, died at a hospital from smoke inhalation. Authorities say Swopes had four of Pletnewski's rings, valued at more than $1,000.
Court records don't list an attorney for Snopes. He is set to be arraigned Dec. 14.
(Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)