Getsy
From the Plain Dealer, disappointing news today:
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland has denied clemency for the triggerman in a 1995 murder-for-hire scheme, overriding the state parole board’s recommendation for mercy.
Strickland decided against clemency for 33-year-old Jason Getsy, scheduled to die Tuesday for the shooting death of Ann Serafino in suburban Youngstown. . . .
Stebbins says he was disappointed that Strickland didn’t follow the recommendation of the parole board, which voted 5-2 in favor of mercy last month.
The board said Getsy should not be executed while others involved in the crime who were equally guilty received lesser sentences.
The Plain Dealer earlier reported that the call for clemency from the parole board is rare, but also noted that both Strickland, a Democrat, and former Gov. Taft, a Republican, accepted previous calls for reprieve from the board.
From the Dayton Daily News, on the governor’s choice, prior to his decision:
Cathleen Burnett, associate professor of criminal justice at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, said that the Getsy recommendation was “gutsy” and that while the governor may feel pressure from both sides, he should exert leadership.
“It is the mark of quality leadership to do the right thing in ensuring that fairness is maintained throughout the criminal justice system,” she said.
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Chris Geidner is a lawyer in Washington, D.C., who writes at Law Dork, contributes regularly to Metro Weekly and has written for The Atlantic Online, Advocate.com, Salon and other publications. An extended biography can be found
The world’s smallest violin:
The Serafino ranch home, set back from a country road 2 miles from the Pennsylvania state line, erupted in gunfire before 2 a.m. as Getsy and an accomplice shot their way inside.
Charles Serafino, wounded in the arm, back, chest and mouth, decided to play dead.
“I’m thinking I’ve got to just lay here because if they shoot me again, I know I’m going to die,” he said in an interview. “As I did that, that’s when he hit my mom over the head.”
The blow with a revolver opened a 4-inch gash and probably was enough to kill Ann Serafino, who fell to the floor. At that point, according to prosecutors, Getsy stood over her and said, “Die, bitch,” and shot her twice.