Cleveland man suspected of 11 homicides appears in court, agrees to let police fence home

Ohio serial killer suspect appears in court

CLEVELAND — A registered sex offender charged with killing 11 women and hiding their remains in and around his Cleveland home has agreed to let police fence off the house with barbed wire to preserve evidence.

Fifty-year-old Anthony Sowell (SOH’-wehl) appeared in court Wednesday with a new legal team that will defend him on aggravated murder charges. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.

The prosecution has not ruled out a possible visit by a trial jury to the home. At the hearing, both sides agreed to allow police to remove 24-hour patrols there.

Sowell, handcuffed and dressed in an orange jumpsuit, also agreed to waive his right to a speedy trial to aide his defense team. Last week, he pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.