The execution will go forward this Tuesday, for a Hubbard man who was part of a 1995 murder for hire plot. Governor Ted Strickland has denied clemency for Jason Getsy, overriding the state parole board's recommendation for mercy.
Getsy was convicted in the shooting death of Ann Serafino in suburban Youngstown. Getsy's attorney David Stebbins says it's disappointing 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.
Governor Ted Strickland today issued the following statement regarding the Ohio Parole Board’s recommendation regarding executive clemency for Jason Getsy:
“As a result of his conviction for aggravated murder, Mr. Jason Getsy is scheduled to be executed on August 18, 2009 at 10 a.m. I have completed my review of Mr. Getsy’s request for executive clemency.
“In conducting this evaluation, my staff and I reviewed the record of proceedings and the evidence presented in Mr. Getsy’s trial, as well as the record in his co-defendant, John Santine’s trial. We also reviewed the judicial decisions regarding Mr. Getsy’s conviction, and arguments presented for and against clemency by counsel for Mr. Getsy and by the Trumbull County Prosecutor, respectively. Finally, we reviewed videos, photographs, letters, petitions, media reports, and emails received in the Governor’s Office regarding this matter, the Attorney General’s recommendation, and the July 17, 2009 recommendation of the Ohio Parole Board, along with the exhibits presented at the Parole Authority’s hearing and letters received by the Parole Board regarding Mr. Getsy’s case.
“Substantial attention has been focused on the different sentences imposed upon Mr. Getsy and his co-defendant, Mr. Santine. Mr. Getsy and Mr. Santine had different roles in the murder. The fact that Mr. Santine was not sentenced to death is not, by itself, justification to commute Mr. Getsy’s sentence. Mr. Getsy’s sentence was based on his conduct and based upon our review, which included consideration of the differing Santine and Getsy sentences, I do not believe executive clemency is warranted. Although my decision is inconsistent with the recommendation of the majority of the members of the Parole Board, I appreciate and respect their thoughtful consideration and review of this difficult case.”
