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.
December 14, 2012: Ohio Parole Board recommends clemency for Ronald Ray Post by vote of 5-3. [MORE]
Making Communities Safer by Abolishing the Death Penalty: A Video Conference on the Death Penalty,
October 25, 2012
Catholic Conference of Ohio testimony in support of SB 270.
Is Ohio's death penalty under its own death watch? Questions, criticism mount about Ohio executions. Plain Dealer 2/19/12
Joe D'Ambrosio was wrongfully convicted of the 1989 murder of Anthony Klann in Cleveland. Cuyahoga County prosecutors withheld 10 pieces of evidence that would have exonerated D’Ambrosio at his trial and implicated another suspect in the crime. [MORE]
Catholic Conference of Ohio Testimony in Support of HB 160
Proponent Testimony on HB 160 by Professor Larry Herman, Moritz College of Law, The Ohio State University
Death penalty abolition bill media coverage
On April 13, 2011, sponsor testimony was given on the End the Death Penalty in Ohio BillSupreme Court of Ohio's Joint Task Force on the Death Penalty .
Catholic Bishops of Ohio statement on the death penalty. 2/4/11
Ohio changes drug used in lethal injections. 1/26/2011
Terry Collins, former director, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections Op-Ed on ending Ohio's Death Penalty. January 25, 2011
Ohio Supreme Court Justice, Paul Pfeifer, calls for an end to Ohio's Death Penalty. January 19, 2011
November, 2010 Poll Shows Growing Support for Alternatives to the Death Penalty; Capital Punishment Ranked Lowest Among Budget Priorities: Unfairness, high costs, victims’ needs, and innocence are important to voters’ thinking about the death penalty.
CATHOLIC RESOURCES
"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.
Study Guide on The Culture of Life
Catholic Teachings from the Vatican on the Death Penalty
Catechism of the Catholic Church: Fifth Commandment
Prayer to End the Use of the Death Penalty USCCB
Educational Flyer/Bulletin Insert: Life Matters: The Death Penalty October 2011
Educational Flyer/ Bulletin Insert Divine Mercy and the Death Penalty October 2010
Educational Flyer: Catholic Teachings and Ohio's Death Penalty October, 2010
Educational Flyer: What Every Catholic Should Know About the Death Penalty
Catholic Mobilizing Network to End the Use of the Death Penalty
(This web page includes up-to-date information and useful resources for Catholics.
Bishops' Statements:
Divine Mercy and the Death Penalty (2010) Respect Life Booklet 2010-2011
A Culture of Life and the Penalty of Death. U.S. Bishops, November 2005
On the Death Penalty - Reflections from Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk, 9/2001
Renewing Our Call to End the Death Penalty - USCCB, 11/2000
A Good Friday Appeal to End the Death Penalty. U. S. Bishops, April 1999
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
Ohio Execution Alerts
Ohio Executions 2011
Frank Spisak, Jr. was executed on February 17, 2011 for the deaths of Rev. Horace Rickerson, Brian Warford, and Timothy Sheenan from Cuyahoga County. The time of death was 10:34 am. May his soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Johnnie Baston was executed on March 10, 2011 for the death of Chong Hoon Mah from Lucas County. He was pronounced dead at 10:30 am. He was the first inmate to die using a single-drug injection of pentobarbital. May his soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Clarence Carter, Hamilton County, was executed on April 12, 2011 for the death of fellow prisoner Johnny Allen. He was pronounced dead at 10:25 am. May his soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Daniel Bedford, Hamilton County, was executed on May 17, 2011 for the deaths of Gwen Toepfert and John Smith. He was pronounced dead at 11:18 AM. The execution was delayed by court proceedings regarding his dementia and difficulties in inserting an intravenous line. Mr. Bedford participated in Mass and Communion prior to his execution. May his soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Reginald Brooks, Cuyahoga County, was executed on November 15, 2011 for the deaths of his three children, Reginald Jr., Vaughn, and Niarchos. He was pronounced dead at 2:04 PM after last minute appeals regarding his mental illness failed. May his soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Ohio Executions 2012
Mark Wiles, Portage County, was executed on April 18, 2012 for the death of Mark Klima. He was pronounced dead at 10:42 am. His death ended an unofficial moratorium on the death penalty that occurred while the state and a federal judge wrangled over Ohio's lethal injection procedures. May his soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Donald L. Palmer, Belmont County, was declared dead at 10:35 am on September 20, 2012 for the deaths of Charles Sponhaltz and Steven Vargo. Mr. Palmer did not request clemency. May his soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Brett X. Hartmann, Summit County, was declared dead at 10:34 AM on November 13, 2012 for the death of Winda Snipes. May his soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Ohio Executions 2013
Frederick Treesh, Lake County, was executed on March 6, 2013 for the death of Henry Dupree. He was pronounced dead at 10: 37 AM. May his soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Delayed Executions in Ohio
On July 8, 2011, federal judge Gregory Frost delayed the July 19, 2011 execution of Kenneth Smith. He ruled that Ohio's death penalty procedures are enforced haphazardly. [MORE]
On September 2, 2011, Governor Kasich delayed the September 20, 2011 execution of Billy Slagle till August 7, 2013. There are continued concerns over Ohio's death penalty procedures.
Billy Slagle, Cuyahoga County, was scheduled for execution on Sept. 20, 2011 for the death of Mari Anne Pope. [More]
On January 11, 2012, Judge Frost, from the federal 6th Circuit Court, halted the execution of Charles Lorraine due to concerns over the State's ability to follow their own execution protocols.
Charles Lorraine, Trumbull County, was scheduled for execution on January 18, 2012 for the deaths of Raymond and Doris Montgomery.
On February 8, 2012, the U. S. Supreme Court allowed Ohio's temporary delay on executions to remain indefinitely.
Michael Webb, Clermont County, was scheduled for execution on February 22, 2012 for the death of his son, Michael Patrick Webb.
On June 18, 2012, Ohio Supreme Court stayed the rescheduled June 20, 2012 execution of Abdul Awkal.
Parole board was not unanimous in recommendation of death. Mental heath concerns raised in 8-1 vote [MORE]
Catholic Conference of Ohio letter requesting clemency
Letter from the Ohio Legislative Mental Health Caucus
Abdul Hamin Awkal, Cuyahoga County,was scheduled for execution on June 6, 2012 for the deaths of Latife Awkal and Mahmoud Abdul-Aziz.
Pending Executions in Ohio
2013
Steven T. Smith, Richland County, is scheduled for execution on May 1, 2013 for the death of Autumn Carter.
Billy Slagle, Cuyahoga County, is rescheduled for execution on August 7, 2013 for the death of Mari Anne Pope.
Harry Mitts Jr., Cuyahoga County, is scheduled for execution on September 25, 2013 for the deaths of John Bryan and police sergeant Dennis Glivar.
Ronald R. Phillip, Summit County, is scheduled for execution on November 14, 2013 for the death of Sheila Marie Evans.
2014
Dennis McGuire, Preble County, is scheduled for execution on January 16, 2014 for the death of Joy Stewart.
Gregory Lott, Cuyahoga County, is rescheduled for execution on March 19, 2014 for the death of John McGrath. Mr. Lott had two previous execution dates stayed; one on August 27, 2002, the other on April 27, 2004.
Arthur Tyler, Cuyahoga County, is scheduled for execution on May 28, 2014 for the death of Sander Leach.
William Montgomery, Lucas County, is scheduled for execution on August 6, 2014 for the deaths of Debra Ogle and Cynthia Tincher.
Raymond Tibbetts, Hamilton County, is scheduled for execution on October 14, 2014 for the deaths of Judith Sue Crawford and Fred Hicks.
2015
Warren K. Henness , Franklin County, is scheduled for execution on January 7, 2015 for the death of Richard Myers
Jeffrey Wogenstahl, Hamilton County, is scheduled for execution on May 14, 2015 for the death of Amber Garrett.
Alva Campbell Jr., Franklin County, is scheduled for execution on July 15, 2015 for the death of Charles Dials
Ohio Commutations
CLICK HERE for a listing of the commutation actions taken by the Catholic Conference of Ohio, including letters to the Governor on behalf of the Catholic Bishops in Ohio.
2003
On June 26, 2003, Governor Bob Taft commuted the sentence of inmate Jerome Campbell to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
2008
On January 9, 2008, Governor Ted Strickland commuted the sentence of inmate John Spirko to life in prison without parole eligibility.
2009
On February 12, 2009, Governor Ted Strickland, in agreement with the recommendation from the Ohio Parole Board, commuted the sentence of inmate Jeffrey Hill to life with parole eligibility after 25 years.2010
On June 4, 2010, Governor Ted Strickland, in agreement with the recommendation from the Ohio Parole Board, commuted the sentence of inmate Richard Nields to life without the possibility of parole.
On September 2, 2010, Governor Ted Strickland commuted the sentence of inmate Kevin Keith to life without the possibility of parole.
On November 15, 2010, Governor Ted Strickland commuted the sentence of inmate Sidney Cornwell to life without the possibility of parole.
2011
On September 26, 2011, Governor Kasich commuted the death sentence of Joseph Murphy to life without parole. Joseph Murphy, Marion County, was scheduled for execution on Oct. 18, 2011 for the death of Ruth Predmore.
On June 8, 2011, Governor Kasich commuted the death sentence of Shawn L. Hawkins ( Hamilton County). Mr. Hawkins was scheduled for execution on June 14, 2011.
2012
On July 10, 2012, Governor Kasich commuted the death sentence of John Eley to life without parole.
John Eley, Mahoning County, was scheduled for execution on July 26, 2012 for the death of Ihsan Aydah.
Catholic Conference of Ohio letter requesting clemency
On December 17, 2012, Governor Kasich commuted the death sentence of Ronald Ray Post to life without parole. Mr. Post, Lorain County, was scheduled for execution on January 16, 2013 for the death of Helen Vantz.
September 8, 2012: Michael Keenan was released from Ohio's Death Row [MORE]
Joe D'Ambrosio, Ohio conviction: 1989, Charges dismissed: January 23, 2012 [MORE]
Gary Beeman, Ohio Conviction: 1976, Acquitted: 1979
Dale Johnston, Ohio Conviction: 1984, Charges Dismissed: 1990
Timothy Howard, Ohio Convicted: 1976, Charges Dismissed: 2003
Gary Lamar James, Ohio Convicted: 1976, Charges Dismissed: 2003
Derrick Jamison, Ohio Conviction: 1985, Charges Dismissed: 2005
Ohio Death Penalty Legislation
HB 160, introduced by Representatives Celeste (D) and Antonio (D), would abolish Ohio's death penalty. Other cosponsors include: Representatives Blair (R), Hagan, R. (D), Murray (D), Lundy (D), Foley (D), Garland (D), Ramos (D), Yuko (D), Heard (D), Letson (D), Boose (R), Williams (D)
Catholic Conference of Ohio Testimony in Support of HB 160
Catholic Conference of Ohio press statement in support of HB 160. 3/14/2011
SB 77: Signed into law. Effective July 2010. Provides for enhanced DNA testing and safeguards.
U.S. Catholic Bishops Campaign to End the Use of the Death Penalty.
History of the Death Penalty in Ohio with pictures. Updated 9/6/2011
History of the Death Penalty in Ohio without pictures. Updated 9/6/2011
Ohio Executions, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections
Death Penalty in Ohio: Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Corrections
Ohio Clemency Reports: Ohio Department of Corrections
Religion and the Death Penalty, Death Penalty Information Center
Special Report: Death Row in Ohio, Dayton Daily News. 2/23/09
Educational Flyer: Catholic Teachings and Ohio's Death Penalty October, 2010
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.
Bishop Griffin Signs Moratorium Call - press release from OTSE - 10/9/03
Petition to Stop the Death Penalty - Interfaith Coalition to Stop Executions
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
Catholic Mobilizing Network to End the Use of the Death Penalty
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
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 Kasich.
Ask him to end the use of the death penalty
Need More Information
Contact Jim Tobin , 614-224-7147.
© Catholic Conference of Ohio