The big news: OTSE launches matching campaign!
Thanks to the generousity of an Ohio family, OTSE is thrilled to announce a campaign to raise $10,000 by June 1.
The family will match contributions recieved between April 27th and June 1st up to $5,000.
Now is the best time to make your 2012 contribution go even farther and help make the difference in OTSE's work this year.
You can make your matching contribution by sending a check to our office or by giving securely online through PayPal. Checks should be made payable to "Ohioans to Stop Executions" and sent to 215 E. 14th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202.
Click here to give.
Ohio preparing to execute severly mentally ill man
Ohio's next scheduled execution is June 6. Abdul Awkal was convicted in the 1992 murders of his estranged ex-wife and brother-in-law in Cleveland.
Mr. Awkal was ruled incompetent to stand trial then sent to the Dayton Mental Health Center for treatment and further evaluation. He was prescribed greater levels of anti-psychotic mediactions and ultimately was restored to competency.
Mr. Awkal has a long, well-documented history of severe mental illness dating back to 1985. Medical records and information submitted to the Ohio Parol Board indicate from 1993 to 2011 establish a severe depressive/delusional disorder that results in audio and visual hallucinations, delusions of grandiose and paranoid themes, and suicide attempts.
According to clemency application records, Mr. Awkal believes the CIA communicates to him through messages planted in the USA Today, that he is responsible for maintianing US foreign policy in the Middle East through his communications with the CIA and former President Bush.
Abdul Awkal was found incompetent to waive his appeals during federal proceedings in 2004.
The Ohio Parole Board is expected to make its recommendation regarding clemency on Friday, May 18.
People of faith sign-on campaign
Ohioans to Stop Executions and People of Faith Against the Death Penalty have launched a new initiative to send a clear and compelling message to Ohio legislators and Ohio's governor: Ohioans do not wish to continue the broken and failed policy that is the death penalty.
Faith and lay leaders from Ohio's religious communities can support the campaign by clicking FAITH LEADER or LAY LEADER to lend support.
Execution raises questions over clemency process
Ohioans to Stop Executions released the following statement on April 18:
April 18--Mark Wiles was the 47th man executed in Ohio since 1999. Mr. Wiles was convicted of killing 15-year old Mark Klima in Portage County in 1985.
More than 230 Ohio faith leaders urged Governor John Kasich to grant mercy to Mr. Wiles after the parole board recommended against clemency on March 23.
The Akron Beacon Journal, in an editorial on April 7, wrote the parole board's recommendation was, “a curious one.”
In previous reports, the parole board cited lack of remorse, failure to accept responsibility and poor behavior while incarcerated as justification for denying clemency. Mark Wiles’ clemency report notes he was remorseful, accepted full responsibility and was well-behaved during his incarceration.
Kevin Werner, Executive Director of Ohioans to Stop Executions, said, “The clemency process is one facet of Ohio’s death penalty system that ought to be reviewed. Right now the criterion for a favorable or unfavorable clemency recommendation appears to be a guessing game and, at best, a moving target.”
The inconsistent nature of the parole board rulings raises questions about the criteria the parole board uses when determining whether to recommend clemency to a condemned inmate.
The task force assembled by the Ohio Supreme Court and Ohio Bar Association to review the administration of Ohio’s death penalty has established a subcommittee on clemency.
Sr. Alice Gerdeman, during a vigil at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville said, “Today we hold the Klima and Wiles families and everyone involved in this process in our thoughts and prayers.”
Connecticut Governor to sign abolition bill
The Connecticut House of Representatives voted to repeal the death penalty on Wednesday, April 11. The floor debate lasted about 10 hours. The repeal bill passed with a bi-partisan tally of 86-62.
 Connecticut will be the fifth state to repeal capital punishment in five years. The vote demonstrates the growing momentum to end the death penalty in the US.
Governor Malloy is expected to sign the bill this week.
Photo by Abe Bonowitz.
Federalist Society hosted debate on death penalty
The Cincinnati Chapter of the Federalist Society hosted a luncheon discussion featuring Joe Deters and OTSE's Kevin Werner on April 17th at the University Club in Cincinnati. Joe Deters is the Hamilton County prosecutor and a member of the Ohio Supreme Court Task Force examining the death penalty system.
OTSE thanks the Federalist Society for hosting the luncheoun. We also thank Joe Deters for participating in a productive conversation about the future of Ohio's death penalty.
Help make sure OTSE begins 2012 and the legislative work ahead on the right track. Make your donation today to support OTSE's work to abolish the death penalty.
To give securely online, click the "Donate" button.
Ohio Supreme Court Joint Task Force to Review Administration of Death Penalty
The Ohio Supreme Court initiated a task force to review Ohio's death penalty in September 2011. The task force consists of judges, defense and prosecuting attorneys, lawmakers, academics and members of the law enforcement community. A link to the full roster of the task force members is below.
The purpose of the task force is to review the 2007 American Bar Association report titled “Evaluating Fairness and Accuracy in State Death Penalty Systems: The Ohio Death Penalty Assessment Report” and offer an analysis of its findings; assess whether the death penalty in Ohio is administered in the most fair and judicious manner possible; and determine if the administrative and procedural mechanisms for the administration of the death penalty in Ohio are in proper form or in need of adjustment.
The task force meetings are open to members of the general public. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 17, 2012 from 10:30 AM to 2:00 PM at the Ohio State Bar Association in Columbus.
Roster of members
Meeting minutes
Operating guidelines
Committee holds second hearing on abolition bill
 The Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony in support of SB 270, the death penalty abolition bill on February 14, 2012.
Murder victims' families, exonerees, attorneys, retired law enforcement officials, faith leaders, academics, researchers and advocacy groups testified that Ohio does not need the death penalty.
(Pictured: Derrick Jamison, death row exoneree and Kevin Werner, executive director)
Help make sure OTSE begins 2012 and the legislative work ahead on the right track. Make your donation today to support OTSE's work to abolish the death penalty.
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