Convicted killer wants to reopen appeal

SANDUSKY — A man convicted of killing a Sandusky woman and her two young children recently filed an application to reopen his appeal in Ohio's highest court.Curtis Clinton, 47, is on death row for the 2012 murders of Heather Jackson, 23, her daughter Celina, 3, and her infant son, Wayne. Previously this year, the Ohio Supreme Court reaffirmed his death sentence and denied his motion to reconsider the appeal.In May, the court appointed attorney Angela Miller to represent Clinton for the filing of an application to reopen his direct appeal. In the application, Miller argues Clinton's attorney for the original appeal was ineffective.Miller contends Clinton's counsel failed to raise critical issues in the original appeal, including the jury's impartiality, the use of disturbing evidence and his unpreparedness for allocation. It also states the death sentence would violate the constitution because he is mentally ill.Last week, Erie County prosecutor Kevin Baxter filed an application in opposition, arguing Clinton's "allegations of the law either misconstrue or misapply easily discernible rules," according to court documents.The prosecution contends the court record shows the relevance of the evidence and Clinton's application overstates the obligations of attorneys. Curtis is held in the Chillicothe Correctional Institution as he waits for the court's decision on his application. His execution is scheduled for Sept. 15, 2021.Reach reporter Michael Harrington at michaelharrington@sanduskyregister.com, follow the Register at Facebook.com/SanduskyRegister