Execution set for Youngstown killer of 3-year-old girl

Sidney Cornwell

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) _ The Ohio Supreme Court has set a November execution date for a man sentenced to die for killing a 3-year-old girl during a gang dispute.

The court ruled on Tuesday to schedule the execution of Sidney Cornwell of Youngstown for Nov. 16.

The 33-year-old received a death sentence for killing Jessica Ballew in 1996 as Cornwell and other Crips gang members were hunting for a member of a rival gang.

The girl was on her porch in Youngstown when Cornwell opened fire on people who apparently knew his intended victim, who was not at home.

Ohio is on pace to execute a record number of inmates this year, with executions scheduled each month through November.

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