And that’s a long time to wait; not only for Sowell but for the families of his victims.

Following the recommendation of a jury, Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Dick Ambrose sentenced serial killer Anthony Sowell to death for the murders of 11 women in his Imperial Avenue home.

For good measure, Judge Ambrose gave the bespectacled 51-year-old former Marine 260-plus years for crimes that are forever more a part of Cleveland’s history.

And so, Sowell will be transported by sheriff’s deputies to death row in Youngstown to await his ultimate fate in the death house at Lucasville.

Unfortunately, Sowell could die of old age in prison before the executioner comes knocking.

Since the resumption of capital punishment in America, state and federal courts have been bending over backwards to accord condemned prisoners with all due fairness.

We need look no further than the case of East Clevelander Reginald Brooks who has been on Ohio’s death row for nearly 30 years awaiting his punishment for the brutal murder of his three sons while they slept in their beds.

Other death row inmates have spent a good part of two decades behind bars before finally eating that last meal and walking into the execution chamber.

No doubt, unless Sowell decides to drop all appeals to prolong his life, he could very well be into his 70s before meeting his Maker.

And that’s a long time to wait; not only for Sowell but for the families of his victims.

To add insult to injury, taxpayers will be burdened with having to pay for Sowell’s appeals; not to mention being provided medical attention along with three hots and a cot until the legal process has run its course.

Justice delayed is justice denied.

We can only hope that Sowell lives long enough to see punishment rendered and not cheat the executioner for the crimes he so richly deserves to die for.