Jim & Nancy Petro Bring New Perspectives to Leading Anti-Death Penalty Group
Jim and Nancy Petro were elected to the board of directors of Ohioans to Stop Executions on Saturday, bringing a wealth of experience and unique perspectives to the 27-year-old anti-death penalty organization.
“We are thrilled to have Jim and Nancy serve on the OTSE board of directors,” said Melinda Elkins-Dawson, who chairs the OTSE board of directors. “Ohio has an unusually high number pro-death penalty government officials who have changed their positions on the issue, but this is the first time we’ve had a couple with such experience join our leadership team.”
Jim Petro, who co-sponsored Ohio’s capital punishment statute as a legislator, served as Ohio’s elected Attorney General from 2003 to 2007. During that time, the lifelong Republican had a role in overseeing eighteen executions in the state. After DNA testing revealed the wrongful murder and rape convictions of Clarence Elkins, Jim and his wife Nancy became advocates on the issue of wrongful convictions, co-authoring the book “False Justice: Eight Myths that Convict the Innocent.” While Nancy has always opposed the death penalty, Jim more recently came to the conclusion that capital punishment is a failed public policy.
“OTSE is an important advocacy organization urging a re-examination of Ohio’s death penalty,” said Jim Petro. “We wholeheartedly support this work.”