CATHOLIC CONFERENCE OF OHIO DEATH PENALTY PAGE
Society has a duty to defend life against violence and to reach out to victims of crime. Yet our nation’s increasing reliance on the death penalty cannot be justified. Because we have other ways to protect society that are more respectful of human life, the Catholic church supports efforts to end the use of the death penalty and, in the meantime, to restrain its use through broader use of DNA evidence, access to effective counsel, and efforts to address unfairness and injustice related to application of the death penalty.
"The Culture of Life"
A Culture of Life and the Penalty of Death stands as a call for the nation to abandon the use of the death penalty and move one step closer to building a culture of life. People like Bud Welch whose daughter died in the Oklahoma City bombing and David Kaczynski, brother of the Unibomber, are some of the voices that have joined with the bishops in this campaign to end the use of death penalty. The stories and narrative highlight the flaws in the death penalty and movingly advocate that Catholics oppose the death penalty in order to build a culture of life.
Catholic Teachings from the Vatican on the Death Penalty
Ohio Execution Alerts
Ohio Department of Corrections adopts new execution procedures. [More]
Ohio Executions 2010
Vernon Lamont Smith, nka Abdullah Sharif Kaazim Mahdienneth, was executed on January 7, 2010 for the death of Sohail Darwish from Toledo. He was pronounced dead at 10:28 am. May his soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Mark Brown was executed on February 4, 2010 for the deaths of Isam Salman and Hayder Al-Turk from Youngstown. He was pronounced death at 10:49 AM. May his soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Lawrence Reynolds Jr. was declared dead at 10:27 am on March 9, 2010 for the death of Loretta Mae Foster from Cuyahoga Falls. May his soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Darryl Durr was pronounced dead at 10:36 AM on April 20, 2010 for the death of Angel Vincent from Elyria. May his soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Michael Beuke was executed on May 13, 2010 for the death of Roger Craig from Hamilton County. Michael, a devote Catholic, asked forgiveness for his crimes. He attended Mass early in the morning of his execution. His last words were to pray the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary. Mr. Michael Beuke was pronounced dead at 10:53 AM. May his soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
William Garner was pronounced death at 10:38 AM on July 13, 2010. He was executed for the fire deaths of Denitra Satterwhite, Deondra Freeman, Myka Mack, Markeca Mason, and Richard Gaines from Hamilton County. May his soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Roderick Davie was executed on August 10, 2010 for the deaths of Tracey Jefferys and John Coleman from Warren Ohio. He was pronounced dead at 10:31 am. May his soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Commutations
On June 4, 2010, Governor Strickland commuted the death sentence of Richard Nields to life without parole. Mr. Nields was scheduled for execution on June 10, 2010 for the death of Patricia Newsome from Hamilton County. [More]
Governor Strickland has previously commuted the death sentences of John Spirko and Jeffrey Hill. He rejected a parole board recommendation in 2009 to commute the death sentence of Jason Getsy after members of the panel noted that others convicted in the murder-for-hire of Ann Serafino had received lesser sentences. Getsy was executed by lethal injection four days later. [More]
Catholic Conference of Ohio's letter to Governor Strickland seeking mercy for Mr. Nields.
Pending Executions in Ohio
Kevin Keith is scheduled for execution on September 15, 2010 for the deaths of Marichell Chatman, Marchae Chatman and Linda Chatman from Bucyrus Ohio.
Keith's Attorneys Respond to Parole Board: Supplement to the Board August 20, 2010
Parole Board Rules unanimously against clemency August 19, 2010
Catholic Conference of Ohio letter to Governor Strickland seeking clemency
Michael Benge is scheduled for execution on October 6, 2010 for the death of Judith Gabbard from Hamilton Ohio.
Sidney Cornwell is scheduled for execution on November 16, 2010 for the death of Jessica Lynn Ballew from Mahoning County.
Frank Spisak, Jr. is scheduled for execution on February 17, 2011 for the deaths of Rev. Horace Rickerson, Brian Warford, and Timothy Sheenan from Cuyahoga County.
Johnnie Baston is scheduled for execution on March 10, 2011 for the death of Chong Hoon Mah from Lucas County
Ohio Execution Stays
Romell Broom was scheduled for execution on September 15, 2009 for the death of Tryna Middleton from Cleveland.
Romell Broom's 10 AM execution was delayed four hours while a last minute appeal was raised. The federal court turned down the appeal and the execution procedure resumed around 2 PM.
At 3:20 PM the procedure was stopped when problems inserting the needle into Mr. Broom's arms and legs persisted. At least 12-18 attempts were made to find a supportable vein. Mr. Broom was reported to be in great pain throughout the process.
Mr. Broom was placed back on death row while the courts continue to examine this case.
Ohio Death Penalty Legislation
Death Penalty Updates
U.S. Catholic Bishops Campaign to End the Use of the Death Penalty.
History of the Death Penalty in Ohio with pictures. Updated 7/14/2010
History of the Death Penalty in Ohio without pictures. Updated 7/14/2010
Ohio Executions, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections
Bishops' Statements:
A Culture of Life and the Penalty of Death. U.S. Bishops, November 2005
Justice & Mercy: Reassessing the Death Penalty Ohio Bishops,1987
Shortening Death Penalty Appeal Procedures Ohio Bishops, June 7, 1994
Affirming Justice & Mercy: Reassessing the Death Penalty Ohio Bishops, June 28, 1996
Resources:
Catholic Mobilizing Network to End the Use of the Death Penalty
Religion and the Death Penalty, Death Penalty Information Center
Multi-media Resources: Video Clips, Podcasts, Death Penalty Information Center
Special Report: Death Row in Ohio, Dayton Daily News. 2/23/09
IN-DEPTH LOOK AT THE DEATH PENALTY IN OHIO:
Ohioans To Stop Executions Education and Action Resources, 2007
Introduction and Table of Contents
Background on Ohioans To Stop Executions
History of the Death Penalty in Ohio
History of the Death Penalty in Ohio with Photos
Death Penalty Studies & the Need for a Moratorium
Links
Ohioans to Stop Executions website
National Death Penalty Information Center
Ohio Dept. of Correction's Listing of Executions in Ohio, 1999 to Present
Catholic Campaign Against the Death Penalty
A Declaration of Life - Release form indicating a personal preference that the death penalty not be pursued should I become a murder victim.
The Death Penalty: Time to Reassess - Color flyer
Death Penalty Tools - Resource list from Interfaith Coalition to Stop Executions
Resource Listing regarding the Death Penalty- Updated November 2004.
Death Penalty History -List of executions in Ohio from Ohioans to Stop Executions
Bishop Griffin Signs Moratorium Call - press release from OTSE - 10/9/03
On the Death Penalty - Reflections from Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk
Renewing Our Call to End the Death Penalty - From USCCB, 11/2000
Petition to Stop the Death Penalty - From Interfaith Coalition to Stop Executions
OHIO CATHOLIC STUDENTS FOR PEACE & JUSTICE CALL FOR THE END OF THE DEATH PENALTY:
Information on Contacting Elected Officials
CLICK HERE
Click here to Contact Governor Strickland.
Ask him to end the use of the death penalty
Need More Information
Contact Jim Tobin , 614-224-7147 or cell 614-560-0654.
©2004
Catholic Conference of Ohio
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