Follow my Journey...

I'm Arthur and I’ve spent 31 years on death row for a murder I didn’t do. It’s too long of a story to go into here but you can find the whole story at my website Justice4ArthurTyler. I hope you will read it. 

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....

I Do a Few Good Things to Stay Gone

Almost a year has passed since the governor marooned me to a living death, granting me clemency from dying but overruling the entire parole board and keeping me here. It gets to me and I long for justice. I long to be free. But I've learned to stay busy and stay gone from my cell. Ever tried to think to the sound of a thousand wailing babies? That is the noise level around this place. The only quiet time is when you are locked in your cell during count times.

But I do a few good things to stay gone. I work recreation. I get to leave the block each day if I choose two hours in the morning, two hours in the afternoon, and two hours in the evenings. I have to go back to the block three times a day for count.

I’m taking a Toast Masters course that teaches me to speak in public, something I never really had a chance to do, having been here now for 32 years. I also take a business course. I am a member of Kairos, a Christian-based group that worships together. I am also a member of Links which is a group of prisoners that do community service. In the ongoing program, we now make hats for the homeless. We also hold charity food sales and donate the money to people in need.

I have to stay hopeful that this time next year I will be home doing the things I had planned had the governor done the right thing. By no means have I settled into this. I'm just trying to stay alive, stay sane, while we wait for the governor to right this wrong.

Hi, I'm Arthur...

Hi, I'm Arthur. I'm a Clevelander, a member of a large close-knit family, a graduate of East Tech, and I'm living a Locked-Up Life.

I am serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole, despite grave doubt and serious unfairness associated with my case. This is after already serving 32 years on Ohio's Death Row. 

When I faced the Parole Board to request clemency, the 11 members unanimously agreed that I should not only receive clemency from the death penalty, but that I should be given an option for release. Governor Kasich did not follow the unprecedented recommendation of his board. Instead, he gave me LWOP which leaves me wondering, "where's the justice in that?!"

Here I'll post my thoughts and activities as I try to make the most of a terrible situation AND continue to struggle for my release.  You can find me on Facebook and visit my website to learn more about me and to support the cause.