Wednesday 27 December 2006

Biros clemency hearing Jan. 4


Biros clemency hearing Jan. 4

by Ed Runyan

December 26, 2006 9:07 pm

WARREN — The Trumbull County prosecutor’s office will continue to prepare for a clemency hearing Jan. 4 for convicted murderer Kenneth Biros despite a ruling by a federal judge that postpones Biros’ Jan. 23 execution.

LuWayne Annos, an assistant county prosecutor who handles appeals, said representatives from the prosecutor’s office will travel to Columbus for a video teleconference Thursday. At that time, Biros will participate in an interview with a member of the Ohio Parole Board to tell the member why his life should be spared.

Biros will not have an opportunity to speak at the Jan. 4 clemency hearing, which is the prosecutor’s opportunity to say why Biros should be executed Jan. 23, Annos said.

Judge Gregory L. Frost of the Southern District of Ohio granted an emergency preliminary injunction last week that stayed Biros’ execution until a further order from the court is issued. In his ruling, Judge Frost noted that Biros’ attorneys presented evidence from Florida and California regarding problems with recent lethal injections there that have placed executions on hold.

Annos said the prosecutor’s office has been advised to proceed with its preparations for the clemency hearing.

Biros, convicted in 1991 of killing Tami Engstrom of Hubbard, joined a civil rights lawsuit late this year that says lethal injection as a method of carrying out the death penalty is cruel and unusual punishment.

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