|
OHIO (USA): GOVERNOR SPARES CONDEMNED KILLER
June 4, 2010: Ted Strickland has commuted the death sentence of Richard Nields.
Strickland followed the recommendation of the Ohio Parole Board in sparing the life of Nields.
He strangled his girlfriend during an argument in 1997. But courts and the parole board raised big questions over expert testimony - and whether the case fits the definition of a death penalty crime in Ohio. Among those raising the questions was Ohio Supreme Court Justice Paul Pfeifer, who helped write Ohio's death penalty law.
Nields will remain in prison with no chance for parole.
The state has executed 14 men since Strickland, a Democrat, took office in 2007. The parole board has recommended mercy for inmates 3 times under Strickland. He has followed the board's recommendation twice. He overrode the board in 2009 and allowed Jason Getsy to be executed.
He also spared John Spirko in 2007 despite recommendations by the board under Strickland's predecessor that Spirko be executed. (Sources: WKSU, Office of the Governor, 04/06/2010)
|
