Ohio Supreme Court backs death sentence in triple slaying

COLUMBUS (AP) — The Ohio Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence of a man convicted of killing three people in 2005, including a hostage he took after an initial shooting.

The court ruled unanimously today to affirm the conviction and death sentence of James Trimble for the fatal shootings in Brimfield Township near Kent.

The events leading to Trimble’s death sentence began Jan. 21, 2005, when he shot his live-in girlfriend, Renee Bauer, and her 7-year-old son, Dakota.

Trimble then fled to a nearby apartment where he held hostage Sarah Positano, a 22-year-old Kent State University student, before killing her.

Prosecutors said Trimble killed the three in a rampage that began because his girlfriend threatened to leave him.