Accused septic tank body suspect wants death penalty thrown out

LOGAN, Ohio - An Ohio man accused of strangling his daughter-in-law and leaving her body in a septic tank has asked a judge to remove the death penalty as a possible punishment if he is convicted.

Attorneys for William Inman told Hocking County Common Pleas Court Judge John Wallace on Wednesday that a plea deal prosecutors made with Inman's wife prevents the state from pursuing the death penalty against him.

He is charged with aggravated murder and other crimes in the March 2011 murder of 25-year-old Summer Cook Inman.

Authorities said Summer Inman was abducted, strangled with a zip tie and dumped in an underground septic tank behind a church. Inman's wife and son already have been convicted in the slaying, which prosecutors say was motivated by a child custody fight.