CLEVELAND (AP) – The discovery in 2013 of three women’s bodies wrapped in garbage bags raised fears and drew national attention to the possibility that another serial killer like Anthony Sowell had been killing woman in and around Cleveland.
East Cleveland resident Michael Madison was arrested within days of the discovery, and after an exhaustive search around the neighborhood where he lived, no other bodies were found. The national media spotlight largely faded.
More than 2 ½ years after Madison was indicted on multiple charges of aggravated murder, kidnapping and rape, jury selection for his trial is set to begin Monday in a Cleveland courtroom. He faces the death penalty if convicted.
Jury selection is expected to stretch into next week, and prosecutors have lined up at least 50 witnesses that could take an additional three weeks to question. Madison’s attorneys aren’t commenting on what evidence or witnesses they plan to present, but attorney David Grant said last week that if Madison is convicted, the defense team will work to save his life during the mitigation phase of the trial.
In Ohio, a jury can recommend the death penalty, but the ultimate decision is left to the judge.