June 8, 2011

Today Governor John Kasich commuted the death sentence of Shawn Hawkins to life without the possibility of parole.  Shawn was scheduled to be executed next Tuesday, June 14, 2011.  The commutation comes in the wake of a unanimous recommendation by the Ohio Parole Board that clemency be granted to Hawkins.  Click here to read a Columbus Dispatch article on the decision. 

IJPC Families That Matter and Ohioans to Stop Executions commends Governor Kasich's decision to grant clemency.  We are grateful the governor thought carefully about the circumstances surrounding Shawn's conviction and particularly those factors which undeniably raise grave doubt about the circumstances of this case.

Our thoughts and prayers today are with the Hawkins family and the familes of Diamond Marteen and Terrance Richard.