(Ohio governor) Kasich Commutes Death Sentence; Childhood Cited

[alp227]

Source: Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio --

Ohio Gov. John Kasich has spared a condemned inmate who slashed a woman's throat in a robbery, saying the prisoner's horrific childhood outweighed receiving a death sentence.

Kasich's decision on Monday marked the fourth time since July that an Ohio execution has been postponed or called off.

Kasich followed the recommendation of the Ohio Parole Board, which said last week Joseph Murphy should be sentenced to life without parole instead.

The board cited Murphy's childhood growing up in West Virginia in which he was beaten, starved and sexually abused.

Read more: http://www2.nbc4i.com/news/2011/sep/26/gov-kasich-commutes-death-sentence-life-without-pa-ar-758709/

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I wonder if Kasich really did this out of real integrity or only because of Troy Davis? Given how the governor of Georgia has no power would Kasich have commuted Davis' sentence if Davis were incarcerated in Ohio. (I found this story from Talkleft blog.)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. No matter why he did this, I applaud his actions.

[tomg]

3. Even if it is pure politics,

I too applaud the result. In fact, if it is pure politics, then, from my point of view, it offers some hope that if we keep fighting, then even a Republican will respond.

[Firebrand Gary]

2. Though I appreciate the commute, this is pure politics.