Coercion? Was Confession From Accused Strongsville Killer Forced?

CLEVELAND — Attorneys tried to get a confession from Jeffrey William Scullin Jr. thrown out from his trial. Scullin is accused of murdering his mother-in-law, Strongsville teacher Melinda Pleskovic. A judge ruled Tuesday the confession is admissible.

Pleskovic was found dead in her home last October. She had been stabbed and shot to death. Her death rocked the normally quiet Strongsville community.

Scullin was set to marry one of Pleskovic's daughters on Oct. 28 and was living with the family prior to Pleskovic's death on Oct. 24. He was out to dinner with the family when they returned home and found Pleskovic's body.

After a tense week of investigation, during which anxiety ran high in the city, Strongsville Police Chief Mark Fender announced that Scullin had been arrested and was being charged with his future mother-in-law's death.

Scullin's trial will begin in earnest this week, on Wednesday. During Monday's pre-trial session, video of Scullin's interrogation was played and he is seen repeatedly denying his involvement in Pleskovic's death, WKYC reported. His attorneys argued his eventual confession, obtained after hours of interrogation, was coerced.

On Tuesday, a judge disagreed and ruled the confession admissible.

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