Michael Madison Update: Suspected East Cleveland serial killer pleads not guilty, report says
(CBS/AP) EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio -Suspected East Cleveland serial killer Michael Madison has pleaded not guilty to two counts each of aggravated murder in the deaths of three women found dead and wrapped in trash bags this month,CBS affiliate WOIO reports.
PICTURES: Horrific Crimes in Cleveland
Michael Madison appeared in court via video feed Wednesday morning, handcuffed and wearing an orange prison uniform. When the judge asked him how he was, Madison answered, "I've been better."
Madison, 35, remains held on $6 million bond, and he is due back in court on Aug. 6, reports the station.
East Cleveland Mayor Gary Norton has said Madison has indicated Madison might have been influenced by Cleveland serial killer Anthony Sowell, who was convicted in 2011 of murdering 11 women and sentenced to death.
Monday, Madison was indicted with six counts of aggravated murder, two for each victim under different legal theories, plus three counts of kidnapping, three counts of gross abuse of a corpse, one count of rape and one count of having weapons under disability, prosecutors said.
East Cleveland police responded to a call about a foul odor July 19 and discovered a body in a garage in a dilapidated neighborhood. Within hours, they identified Madison as a suspect and went to his mother's house, where he was arrested after a brief standoff.
Police found the additional bodies the following day after their questioning of Madison led them to renew their search. All three bodies were found in the fetal position, wrapped in several layers of trash bags.
The victims were later identified as Shetisha Sheeley, Angela H. Deskins and Shirellda Terry. Terry and Deskins were strangled, a medical examiner found, and Sheeley died of "homicidal violence by unspecified means."