12th innocent man freed from Ohio’s death row
Press release: For release on December 12th
Media Contacts:
Kevin Werner – kwerner@otse.org – 614-981-3148
Elwood Jones became the 12th man exonerated from Ohio’s death row! Elwood spent nearly 28 years on death row for a crime he didn’t commit. He was released in 2022, but today the Hamilton County Prosecutor dropped the charges against Elwood.
We are ecstatic for Elwood and his family, his legal team and the advocates who walked with him every step of the way. Elwood had excellent counsel locally in Jay Clark and David Hine. He had excellent counsel in federal proceedings in Erin Gallagher Barnhart, Bridget Kennedy, and T.C. Tanski. They all deserve our thanks and appreciation.
I am deeply grateful for all the work and organizing done by Ignite Peace on Elwood’s behalf. Bekky Baker steadfastly organized and mobilized communities on Elwood’s behalf.
We are thankful that Hamilton County prosecutor Connie Pillich recognized that dismissing the charges was in the interest of justice. Like her, we are mindful of the pain and loss of the family of Rhoda Nathan. They should also be in our thoughts today.
We expect this news to reach the Ohio legislature in the coming days. One of the greatest concerns lawmakers have raised is the risk of wrongful conviction. Elwood Jones’ case is a clear reminder of why it’s time to end the death penalty.
Below is the press release sent out by OTSE.
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