FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Hannah Kubbins, [email protected]
GOVERNOR DEWINE ISSUES REPRIEVE, POSTPONES EXECUTION COLUMBUS, OH—January 25, 2019—Governor Mike DeWine today issued a reprieve to Warren K. “Keith” Henness, who was scheduled to be executed February 13, 2019. Mr. Henness’ execution date was postponed until September 12, 2019. Attorneys representing Mr. Henness issued a statement saying:
The first death penalty case handled by the new governor, according to the clemency documents reviewed by the Ohio Parole Board, was riddled with problems including ineffective defense counsel, lingering doubt as to the true role of co-defendants, forensic evidence destroyed by investigators after the trial, and Henness’ exceptionally good prison behavior. Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan, Jr., chairman of the board of directors of Ohioans to Stop Executions said, “Governor DeWine’s decision is very thoughtful and the right one. Given what is known about the death penalty and how unfairly it is administered, we hope the legislature will now act on reforms that have languished for years.” “What’s most important for us today is that we keep the families of Richard Myers and Keith Henness in our thoughts and prayers,” Rev. Sullivan said. “Secondarily, the legislature needs to do its job fixing what we know is broken.”
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