In a petition to the Ohio Parole Board, Cuyahoga County prosecutor Tim McGinty (pictured) requested the death sentence of Arthur Tyler be reduced to life in prison without parole. McGinty said, “At the time of Tyler’s trial, Ohio law did not allow for the possibility of a sentence of life without parole for an aggravated murder conviction….In light of the limited sentencing options, the absence of the option of a sentence of life without the possibility of parole in this case may have led to the imposition of the death sentence.” The petition also said that “evolving statements” from Tyler’s co-defendant, Leroy Head, “are cause for concern” and “may undermine public confidence in Tyler’s sentence.” Tyler has consistently maintained his innocence, and is asking the Parole Board for a commutation to a sentence of life with the possibility of parole. Head was released from prison in 2008.
The clemency hearing is scheduled for April 24. Tyler is scheduled for execution on May 28.
(“Cuyahoga Prosecutor asks for clemency in Tyler case,” WKYC (Cleveland), April 22, 2014; Photo credit: Cleveland Plain-Dealer). See Clemency and New Voices.
