In 2014, the State of Ohio to set an execution date and we prepared for the clemency hearing. The Clemency Board voted 11 to zero to grant me clemency—meaning I’d be released. (See Clemency Recommendation for the Case of Arthur Tyler). The majority (six) voted to grant an immediate eligibility for parole. Five opted that I should serve two more years and then receive parole. The Clemency Board said my trial was filled with doubt and to give me Life without Parole would be against the interests of justice. The parole board didn't scream that I was innocent. Rather they spoke about the glaring doubt about my guilt (another man confessed six times, including to his mother),and figured enough was enough. They basically granted me a chance to finally be free of this madness.
My case and the Clemency Boards findings and recommendations went before the governor of Ohio. The governor himself touch on how badly the system had handled my case, at the trial and in the appeals. Yet, the very next day, the governor opted to take me off death row but instead of clemency, to give me Life Without Parole. I was exonerated in one sense, but not in another. The parole board at least gave me a chance to come home.
I am truly Innocent of what they have accused me of and kept me here for. I am not a murderer.The courts failed with my case, and because there is no DNA in the case at all. I don’t understand why my case doesn't seem as important as all the other cases that were exonerated and the prisoner freed. I am not here to beat the governor down about it. I just want to right this wrong. I've now been in this system for 32 straight years. I hope this story of how I go about staying above this injustice touches someone who can help...Thank you for taking the time to follow my journey....
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