A New Trial for John Spirko
John Spirko deserves new trial, not life sentence - Regina Brett Plain Dealer Columnist How does one measure doubt Is John Spirko guilty of murder beyond a reasonable doubt Beyond the shadow of a doubt Beyond \"residual\" doubt Gov. Ted Strickland moved Spirko off Ohio\'s death row this week after DNA tests could not link him to the crime scene. The governor halted the Jan. 24 execution and instead gave Spirko life without parole. Strickland cited \"the slim residual doubt\" about Spirko\'s responsibility for the murder that arises from \"careful scrutiny of the case record.\" Strickland said that doubt makes the death penalty \"inappropriate\" in this case. Apparently, life in prison is appropriate for a man we doubt is guilty of murder. Strickland acknowledged the lack of evidence to link Spirko to the 1982 murder of Postmaster Betty Jane Mottinger. When I heard the governor decided not to let Spirko free or grant him a new trial, two words came to mind: Willie Horton. Horton killed the political future of Gov. Michael Dukakis of Massachusetts during his run for president in 1988. As governor, Dukakis supported a program to let convicted felons out on weekend furloughs. While on furlough, Horton raped a woman and beat her fianc
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