WAUSEON — James D. Worley, convicted in the killing of Sierah Joughin, turned to the slain woman’s family in court Wednesday and proclaimed his innocence as he gave a convoluted account of what he believes happened to Ms. Joughin.
Worley, 59, of rural Delta, is in Fulton County Common Pleas Court where Judge Jeffrey Robinson is expected to sentence him after a jury recommended that he be put to death.
He said during his roughly 45 minute statement that he believes someone else kidnapped Ms Joughin, 20. Worley said someone framed him by leaving evidence at his home and by leaving his lost motorcycle helmet — which had Ms. Joughin's blood on it — along with other items at the suspected abduction scene where Ms. Joughin's bike was found.
He added there are still unanswered questions about DNA that was found, which could one day prove his innocence, but he also offered rambling remarks about his defense team, his encounters with police after Ms. Joughin’s disappearance, and his own past.
“Before you judge me harshly, think about these things one last time,” Worley said. “There will be an appeals process and I just have to pray that I will be vindicated because I can't... I didn't do anything."
At one point he referred to Ms. Joughin as a “beautiful girl.” Members of her family stood up and walked out of the courtroom.
Worley was convicted March 27 on all counts, including aggravated murder, for killing Ms. Joughin, who disappeared July, 2016, while riding her bike in rural Fulton County. The jury recommended a death sentence April 4.
First Published April 18, 2018, 5:46 p.m.
