Jesse Lanier was 31 when he was shot and killed on August 19, 2008, in Columbus, Ohio. Reports say he was shot multiple times, including twice in the chest, and was able to make statements after being wounded that identified Rodney Conley as the shooter. Those statements were admitted at trial as dying declarations over defense objections about hearsay and constitutional issues.

A Franklin County Grand Jury indicted Rodney Conley on aggravated murder, aggravated robbery, kidnapping and related charges. At trial Conley denied involvement but was convicted of aggravated murder and aggravated robbery, among other counts, and received a combined sentence of 39 and a half years with additional terms for firearm and repeat violent offender specifications. The court found Lanier’s post‑shooting statements were made under a belief of impending death and admissible; Conley’s appeal raising Sixth Amendment and other claims was rejected by the Court of Appeals of Ohio.

If anyone knew Jesse Lanier or has information about the events of August 19, 2008, please share what you remember.