Ohio Parole Board recommends clemency for condemned killer

The Ohio Parole Board voted 6-4 to recommend that Gov. John Kasich show mercy to convicted killer William Montgomery by commuting his death sentence.

The 21-page report was issued to the governor on Friday.

Supporters of Montgomery are raising claims that he is actually innocent in the murders of Debra Ogle and Cynthia Tincher in March 1986 in Toledo.

In a clemency application, Montgomery’s team raised doubt about the conviction, pointing to a report that the condition of Ogle’s body disproves the prosecution’s theory in the case and alleging that prosecutors withheld evidence and information that could have helped the defense at trial.

Related: Anger over effort to free killer: ‘He beat my sons to death’

Montgomery’s execution is scheduled for April 11.

Ohioans to Stop Executions say Montgomery was convicted based on the testimony of Glover Heard, who was the co-defendant in the case. “Mr. Montgomery’s conviction defies logic but contains all the hallmarkings of wrongful convictions: prosecutorial misconduct, improper forensics, snitch testimony and unfair trial,” said the group, which planned to deliver 30,000 signatures to Kasich, asking to show mercy.

Related: Capital punishment needs overhaul in Ohio, panel says

About the Author