COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The Ohio Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence for a man convicted of fatally shooting a man during a robbery.
David Martin was sentenced to die for the 2012 slaying of 21-year-old Jeremy Cole and the attempted murder of 30-year-old Melissa Putnam at Putnam’s house in Warren in northeastern Ohio.
Wednesday’s court ruling says the 33-year-old Martin shot Cole between the eyes after stealing his phone and forcing him into a bedroom in Putnam’s house.
The ruling says Martin then shot Putnam, who survived.
The court rejected arguments from Martin that incriminating statements he made to U.S. marshals and a police officer should not have been used at trial.
Justice Judi French says Martin’s sentence is in line with death sentences handed down for equivalent crimes.
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