09 March 2026 :
March 5, 2026 - Ohio. Derrick Jamison wrongfully imprisoned in 1985 murder case, judge rules
Can now seek compensation from the state
Derrick Jamison was exonerated in 2005 and placed on the Death Penalty Information Centre's “Innocence List” under number 119. After another 20 years of appeals, he finally obtained the formal declaration that will allow him to claim compensation.
Hamilton County judge Christopher McDowell made the declaration Thursday morning, March 5, 40 years after Derrick Jamison was convicted in the same courthouse and sentenced to die in the electric chair.
“You were formally imprisoned by this court and sentenced to death, and you are formally vindicated,” McDowell said.
Jamison was convicted of the murder of Gary Mitchell in 1985 and sentenced to die in the electric chair, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. He continued to appeal the decision, maintaining his innocence.
“I was wrongfully convicted and sentenced to die for something I had nothing to do with. It cost me a life,” Jamison said.
He said authorities came to execute him 6 times during his time on death row, and that he watched more than a dozen friends be executed.
“They came to kill me 6 times. Can you imagine one time? They came to kill me 6 times for something I didn’t do,” he said.
“I like to tell people I wasn’t in jail when I was on death row — I was in hell. I was in a living hell on earth,” Jamison added.
In 2005, the charges were dismissed after his attorney filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus. His attorney found approximately 35 pieces of evidence suppressed by the state, proving his innocence.
With the ruling, Jamison could now sue the state of Ohio for damages. His attorney, JaCqueline Greene, told FOX19 NOW that Thursday’s ruling is a significant milestone, but noted nothing will bring back the 20 years he spent on death row.
Jamison said the ruling carries the weight he has long sought.
“It’s amazing that I’ve got this paper in my hand to prove that I was wrongfully incarcerated and sentenced to die for something I had nothing to do with,” he said.
He said he is currently focused on his work with Witness to Innocence and travels across the world advocating against the death penalty.
https://www.fox19.com/2026/03/05/death-row-exoneree-declared-wrongfully-imprisoned-1985-murder-case/#:~:text=CINCINNATI%20(WXIX)%20%E2%80%94%20A%20Hamilton,die%20in%20the%20electric%20chair.
https://eu.cincinnati.com/story/news/local/2026/03/05/man-who-spent-20-years-on-death-row-wrongfully-imprisoned-judge-says/88986925007/
