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Ohio Governor commutes death sentence of Kevin Keith based on innocence concerns

By Douglas A. Berman

As detailed in this local news report, "Gov. Ted Strickland spared Kevin Keith's life today, concluding that it is "far more likely" he is a murderer than he is not, but there are too many 'real and unanswered questions' to allow him to be executed."  Here is some of the context for the decision: Keith and his supporters have long proclaimed his innocence.  He sought a full pardon from the governor ? even though courts at all levels have affirmed his guilt and the death sentence. Keith's defense team argued that the lack of physical evidence no carpet fibers, DNA or fingerprints on a gun meant the conviction relied on "questionable" testimony from an adult and two children who survived the attack. The controversial nature of Keith's case attracted support from high-profile individuals and organizations, including John Q...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on September 02, 2010 (boomark / email).