COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A Columbus man who pleaded guilty to a 2023 stabbing could spend the remainder of his life in prison.
Court documents said that Rieko Leohner, 42, was charged with murder and aggravated murder in the death of James Dawson Jr., 50, who was found with multiple stab wounds on April 1, 2023. For previous reports on this story, view the video player above.
Officers arrived at a residence on South Champion Avenue, in the Southern Orchards neighborhood, after a 911 call was received about a reported assault. Dawson was pronounced dead at 9:05 p.m., and Leohner was named as the suspect.
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Police reported that a few hours earlier, Leohner retrieved a knife in the kitchen of the home, then knocked on Dawson’s bedroom door before entering and attacking him. A criminal affidavit stated that Leohner stabbed Dawson multiple times before fleeing…