Obese Ohio death row inmate asks state for mercy (AP)

COLUMBUS, Ohio - An inmate on Ohio's death row is asking for clemency, saying he's so fat that executioners would have trouble finding his veins for a lethal injection.

Lawyers for condemned killer Richard Cooey and several relatives of the two college students he killed are planning to attend a Monday morning hearing to argue for and against his execution.

Cooey stands 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weighs 267 pounds.

The Ohio Parole Board will make a recommendation to Gov. Ted Strickland after the hearing. Strickland can follow the board's ruling or make his own decision.

Cooey made a similar request in 2003 but was turned down.

His execution is scheduled for Oct. 14.