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State officials must reconsider death penalty
ACLU of Ohio Staff Attorney Carrie Davis submitted this letter to the editor to the Columbus Dispatch. 12.19.2009 I appreciate the Dec. 1 Dispatch coverage of Ohio’s death penalty and how Gov.-elect Ted Strickland and Attorney General-elect Marc Dann might enforce the system (”Strickland faces two executions right away,” Dispatch article, Dec. 1). Before another man is executed in Ohio, both Strickland and Dann should work with the General Assembly to create a commission to examine the fairness of the death-penalty system in Ohio. Following a report by the Associated Press in 2005 finding that Ohioans were more likely to receive the death penalty based on wealth, race and geography, the new state government should feel obligated to study these serious results. Despite these findings, state officials have failed to launch an independent study to examine if the system is truly fair. In addition, cases such as John Spirko’s have raised questions whether Ohio may actually execute someone who is innocent of a crime. Currently, Spirko’s sentence has been stayed, but Stricklandwill likely decide whether to execute him. Strickland, Dann and lawmakers should show the courage to examine these serious findings and put an end to executions until the system is proven fair to all.
CARRIE L. DAVIS
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