Ohio prepares to execute convicted killer

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court has denied a last-minute appeal by a condemned Ohio killer a day ahead of his scheduled execution for stabbing an Akron woman to death in 1997.

Death row inmate Brett Hartman had asked the high court in his appeal that he be allowed to renew arguments that his original attorneys did a bad job presenting evidence that could have led a jury to spare him.

Hartman also argues he is innocent.

Prisons spokeswoman JoEllen Smith says Hartman got to the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville on Monday morning.

The state is preparing to put the 38-year-old Hartman to death by injection Tuesday for stabbing Winda Snipes more than 100 times, then cutting off her hands.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich (KAY'-sik) denied Hartman clemency last week.