USA (Ohio): Further information on Death Penalty: John Spirko (m)

USA (Ohio): Further information on Death Penalty: John Spirko (m)

Index Number: AMR 51/210/2005
Date Published: 22 December 2005
Categories: Americas, USA

John Spirko is scheduled to be executed on 19 January. He was sentenced to death in 1984 for the kidnap and murder of Betty Jane Mottinger in August 1982. He denies carrying out the murder and no physical or forensic evidence links him to the crime. Concerns about Spirko's guilt have been raised by the courts considering his case and by members of the Ohio Parole Board considering a clemency petition.