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Backstory and reaction to denial of capital clemency in Ohio

By Douglas A. Berman

As detailed in this post, yesterday Ohio Governor Ted Strickland denied clemency for death row defendant Jason Getsy despite the state parole board's recommendation for mercy based in part on the fact that Getsy was the only one of multiple persons involved in the crime sentenced to death.  This local article about the decision details some input Strickland received and reactions: "Justice won today," said Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins, who worked feverishly to persuade the governor to ignore the board's recommendation.  "He made the decision to kill.  This case is as bad as it gets," Watkins said. "This was just evil." The prosecutor helped coordinate a petition drive that produced at least 2,000 signatures in favor of death, including 150 to 200 from the local General Motors plant...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on August 15, 2009 (boomark / email).