Ohio man’s lawyers tell jurors he killed 2 teenage girls; jury convicts him Friday

Ohio man found guilty in teens’ slayings

CINCINNATI — An Ohio registered sex offender, whose attorneys had told jurors he admitted to killing two teenage girls, has been found guilty of the slayings.

Anthony Kirkland, 41, was convicted Friday of aggravated murder, attempted rape and other charges in the slayings of Esme Kenney, 13, and Casonya Crawford, 14, both of Cincinnati.

Before the trial began, Kirkland pleaded guilty to the slayings of two women. His defense lawyers conceded during the trial that Kirkland admitted to all four killings, and they called no defense witnesses.

Defense lawyer Norm Aubin said the defense now would focus on trying to prevent Kirkland from getting the death penalty.