Born on November 13, 1969, Christopher Newton was executed by the State of Ohio on Thursday, May 24th.  Mr. Netwon was the second seriously botched execution.  It took the state one hour and 53 minutes to execute him.  Furthermore, Mr. Newton was the sixth "volunteer" in Ohio since the reinstatement of the death penalty. 

Read a reflection written by Daphne Miller, who attended the witness outside the Southern Ohio Correctional Institution.

"An evil deed is not redeemed by an evil deed of retaliation.  Justice is never advanced in the taking of human life.  Morality is never upheld by legalized murder." ~ Coretta Scott King

 

 

Ohio Executes 28-year-old:  Darrell Ferguson, convicted of the murders of Thomas King, Arlie Fugate, and Mae Fugate, was executed on Tuesday, August 8 at 10am.  Ferguson, 28, of Dayton was the youngest person executed in Ohio in 44 years. He was pronounced dead at 10:21 a.m.  His last statement, directed to his family was the following: "Mom and Dad, I love you both. I love you a lot and I wish you all the best." 

 

 

Ohio Executes 28-year-old:  Darrell Ferguson, convicted of the murders of Thomas King, Arlie Fugate, and Mae Fugate, was executed on Tuesday, August 8 at 10am.  Ferguson, 28, of Dayton was the youngest person executed in Ohio in 44 years. He was pronounced dead at 10:21 a.m.  His last statement, directed to his family was the following: "Mom and Dad, I love you both. I love you a lot and I wish you all the best." 

 

 

Ohio Executes 28-year-old:  Darrell Ferguson, convicted of the murders of Thomas King, Arlie Fugate, and Mae Fugate, was executed on Tuesday, August 8 at 10am.  Ferguson, 28, of Dayton was the youngest person executed in Ohio in 44 years. He was pronounced dead at 10:21 a.m.  His last statement, directed to his family was the following: "Mom and Dad, I love you both. I love you a lot and I wish you all the best." 

 

 

First Execution Using New Procedures:  Rocky Barton executed on July 12, was the first execution implementing the new procedures ordered by prison Director Terry Collins after the botched lethal injection of Joseph Clark.  Rocky Barton received the death penalty for the murder of his wife, Kimbirli Barton. He had given up his appeals against his conviction and sentence. Before he was put to death, he apologized to Kimbirli Barton’s son and two daughters who were present at the execution. Rocky Barton was the 27th person put to death in the United States this year. 

 

The light and love of God was evident during the service. From All Bimbo's Brothers on Death Row – “We miss him and know that he is in a better place. We pray for peace for his family and the victims’ family.” Glenn's last message "To those who knew and loved me, and all those I have hurt by my actions -- I am truly sorry. I pray for your peace and healing."

read more about Glenn Benner

 

John is survived by two sons, 3 grandchildren, 3 sisters and 2 brothers. He sent the following message to be read at his prayer service. May he rest in peace.

“Living and making the right choices is the hardest part of this journey of life.
At this moment there are heavy hearts.
This event will fade as time goes by.
I commit my spirit unto the Father
and this house that holds my spirit will become a hollow shell.
There is peace knowing a new journey has started for me.
There will be no more pain, hurt or disappointments I have to carry in my heart anymore. There is peace in knowing I won’t make the wrong choices anymore.

 

Willie is survived by a loving mother, three sisters, multi nieces and nephews, two sons, two daughters, one granddaughter, and one grandson. Originally from Youngstown, Ohio, Willie played basketball and football at school. How family remembers him: caring, always tried to help others, devoted son, protective of mother, loving person, loved his children and loved his mother’s cooking.

We are thankful for Willie’s mother’s continued work to end the death penalty in Ohio and support other families.

 

Attendee Anne Feczko, President of Xavier Students for Life noted, “College is a time when young people are bombarded by information on the overwhelming injustices in our world. By showing compassion to death row inmates and their families we can light a spark of hope amidst that darkness.”

read more about Herman Ashwood

 

Although Adre`my wanted to live for his family’s sake, God had already prepared Adre`my to bear his cross. Adre'my displayed the type of faith that we as believers should display daily. He was not a sociopath like his accusers tried to say he was. He made a positive impact on many who came into contact with him. Now his persecutors have to wonder whether they will come into God’s glory.

read more about Adre’my Dennis

 

Scott Mink was arrested for and convicted of the Sept. 19, 2000, stabbing of his parents, William and Sheila Mink, 79 and 72. At the time of the murders, Mink was addicted to crack and an alcoholic. He was under the influence of both alcohol and cocaine, as well as other drugs, when the stabbings occurred. In April 2001, Mink announced in court that he wanted to be executed for killing his parents. His attorneys explained that he did not consider his decision to be suicide, and his religious beliefs instructed him that, if he committed suicide, he could not go to heaven and he could not be forgiven.

read more about Scott Mink

 

 

Stephen Vrabel is the second man in five years to voluntarily be executed scheduled to take place July 14th. He was convicted of the 1989 murder of his girlfriend and their daughter. The bodies were found in the family’s refrigerator several weeks later. Vrabel was unable to stand trial for six years due to his mental instability. Once placed on psychotropic drugs he was found guilty and sentenced to the death penalty.

read more about Stephen Vrabel

William Zuern was convicted of killing a Hamilton County sheriff’s department jail officer while incarcerated on a previous conviction. He was charged with aggravated murder after stabbing officer Phillip Pence in the chest with a piece of a bucket handle that he had sharpened in his cell. Zuern stabbed the officer on June 9, 1984.

read more about William Zuern

 

In one of our last correspondence Billy sent this, one of his favorite quotes:

“Each smallest act of kindness – even just words of hope when they are needed, the remembrance of a birthday, a compliment that engenders a smile – reverberates across great distances and spans of time, affecting lives unknown to the one whose generous spirit was the source of this echo, because kindness is passed on and grows each time it’s passed, until a simple courtesy becomes an act of selfless courage years later and far away……

read more about Billy Wickline

 

Mr. Williams declined a final meal but rather chose to pray with the Bible. Mr. Williams fought his case through to the end. His case challenged legislation on cases involving mental retardation, ineffective counsel ,as well as the cruel and unusual punishment of the lethal injection medication.

read more about Lewis Williams

 

Devoted father of Jessica Fox, beloved son of Lela Fox [Low], preceded in death by step-father Dale Fox and wife Kim [Swinehart] died Wednesday, February 12 at 10 am at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville. Age 47. Resident of Mansfield, OH for past 13 years, originally from Tontogony, OH. Dick was an active church member, high school football star, and an active Boy Scout. Dick earned an associate’s degrees in hotel and restaurant management and worked 15 years in the food service business.

 

 

David Brewer, 44, died Tuesday April 29, 2003 at 10:20 am in the Death House at Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville. Mr. Brewer died of lethal injection administered by the State of Ohio. According to family and loved ones, Mr. Brewer should have been granted clemency. He admitted guilt and remorse, had no record before the crime and was an exemplary model prisoner serving 17 of his 18 years “ticket-free”.

read more about David Brewer

 

Mr. Martin’s final three minute statement included these words, “ I’m being treated the same way Christ was treated…. But I don’t hold no grudges against no one. God bless all of you.” Mr. Martin maintained his claim of innocence throughout the 20 years of imprisonment.

read more about Ernst Martin