Scott grew up in an impoverished neighborhood on Cleveland's East Side and slept in a bedroom with up to four of his siblings sharing the same bed as him.

Scott spent most of his days on the street, and by the age of nine, had been arrested on charges of truancy, theft, and breaking and entering.

[4] On May 6, 1983, Vinnie M. Price, owner and operator of the V & E Delicatessen in Cleveland, was shot and killed during an attempted armed robbery of her establishment.

[5] A nearby resident testified that while walking back to her home after shopping at a local market, she noticed a greenish-blue Cadillac without a rear license plate pull up across from her house.

[6] The day after Price's murder, Scott participated in the robbery-slaying of Alexander Jones, a security guard at a restaurant.

Tramble related that O'Neal had informed him the next day of their involvement in the V & E Delicatessen incident, including the shooting of Price.

Up to this point, the arresting officers had informed Scott that he was wanted in connection with a homicide but made no mention of the fact that he was also charged with aggravated robbery.

[9] On April 3, 1984, Judge Joseph McManamon accepted the jury's recommendation and ordered that Scott be put to death.

The prisoners demanded that they receive free deodorant, access to televisions and radios, more desserts, and transfers to the Franklin County Jail.

[13][14] In June 1986, Scott and his accomplices were tried for kidnapping charges in relation to the hostage-taking, however, a jury was unable to reach a verdict.

Afterward, the prosecutor struck a deal with the inmates and said if they agreed to plead guilty to the lesser charge of abduction that they would be treated to a gourmet dinner.