Ohio Governor John Kasich has delayed next week's scheduled execution of death row inmate Raymond Tibbits.
Kasich wants the Ohio Parole Board to consider a letter to him written by Ross Geiger, a juror who recommended Tibbetts be sentenced to death but now believes he should be spared. Tibbit's attorney says Kasich acted in the interest of fairness and justice. More from Ohio Public Radio's Karen Kasler.
Geiger told Kasich in the letter that after reading information from Raymond Tibbetts’ parole board hearing last year, he’s concerned that evidence of abuse and abandonment Tibbetts suffered as a child wasn’t presented to him and his fellow jurors in 1998. And Geiger said he most likely wouldn’t have recommended death knowing what he knows now. Geiger said he’s overwhelmed by Kasich’s temporary reprieve, but stresses he wasn’t advocating for Tibbetts, who he says is guilty and deserves life in prison.
“I’m very reluctant to receive any attention on this at all. I want the energy and focus to be examining the way we ask our citizens to make these decisions.”
Tibbetts’ execution is now set for October 17.