Jeff Hill

[thinkinkmesa]

Petition can be seen online here;
www.petitiononline.com/jeffhill/petition.html

JEFF HILL CLEMENCY CAMPAIGN;

Background of Case:
In 1991, while under the severe influence of drugs, Jeffrey tragically killed his mother, Emma Hill. The moment he realized the events of his mother's death, Jeffrey expressed and continues to express deep remorse. The families of Jeffrey Hill and the late Emma Hill have requested that the sentence of Jeffrey Hill be commuted.

The Hill family statement: “In 1991, our family endured a tragedy.
Under the influence of crack cocaine, Jeffrey Hill took the life of
his mother, Emma Dee Hill. Our hearts wept for both Emma and her son. As a family we shared the loss of a woman who was a mother, a sister, an aunt, a grandmother. We were indeed wounded deeply. As a family, we could not and will not turn our backs on her son, our nephew, our cousin, a father, and now a grandfather. Let our voice be heard, another death in our family will only add more suffering and grief to the burdens we have already borne. We request Jeff’s sentence be commuted.”

Already 1500 Ohioans have signed the petition calling on the Governor to commute Jeff Hill's death sentence. Let's triple that number this summer!!! We will begin gather signatures next week. Call Julie or Sue at IJPC if you can volunteer an hour next week:

WEDNESDAY, MAY 28
Outside the Hamilton County Courthouse
12PM - 1PM
We will meet at IJPC and walk down to the courthouse.
We will provide talking points with the petitions.
Hope you can join us!

[thinkinkmesa]

Seeking mercy for a murderer -- from the same family
citybeat.com/2006-03-01/news.shtml

By Margo Pierce

The voices demanding vengeance after a murder usually come from the family of the victim. What happens when the killer and the victim are members of the same family?

One Cincinnati family found out the hard way in 1991 when Jeffery Hill killed his mother, Emma Hill, stabbing her to death while high on crack cocaine. Fifteen years later, his state and federal appeals exhausted, Hill is awaiting an execution date from the Ohio Supreme Court, and his family works to keep him alive.

"We were never mad with him," says Eddie Sanders Sr., Emma Hill's younger brother. "We was just sad he'd done something like this. I don't think getting revenge for her would be the right way to go. I think it's revenge enough that a man has to spend all that time locked up, rather than just meet his death like this."

Sanders is one of the many family members, including Emma Hill's surviving siblings and son, nephews, nieces and grandchildren, who have signed a petition for clemency.

"We don't really believe in the death penalty," Sanders says. "I came up in a time when it was 'Live and let live.' Now it's 'Live and let die.' But I'm still on the old school. That's what I believe in. As you go from year to year, you start to appreciate life a little bit more. You don't wanna just see someone die because they made a mistake."

Sanders' daughter, Samantha, agrees.

"I think the governor really should listen," she says. "We all make mistakes, and I am not the person I was 20 years ago, thank goodness. I've made mistakes and I'm a better person. I have to believe Jeffery's a better person."

The 30-minute defense
The night before the murder, Hill went on a crack cocaine binge. He stayed up all night and consumed $400 worth of the drug before visiting his mother's apartment. They got into an argument, and the next thing Hill knew, his mother was lying on the floor, stabbed multiple times with a kitchen knife.

Hill was picked up by the police later that evening while driving without his lights on. Officers found a crack pipe in his car. Later, his phone call from jail to check on his mother led to the police finding her body. He confessed three days later, after he remembered what happened.

Tim Payne, assistant state public defender, has represented Hill for seven years. He says the death penalty isn't appropriate in this case.

"He didn't have any adult criminal record involving violence," Payne says. "The victim's family does not want the death penalty. The offense was out of character and wouldn't have happened but for his crack cocaine addiction. He's certainly not what one would think of as the worst of the worst criminal defendants."

Noting that other murders in Ohio involving individuals high on crack cocaine haven't garnered the death penalty, Payne says the fact that Hill was prosecuted in Hamilton County is a factor.

"This is another case where defense counsel, in the assessment of our office, was deplorable and provided deficient performance," he says. "This case took over a year to go to trial, the client confessed to the crime. Council had to have known their best shot at helping the client was at sentencing, but they did not start preparing for sentencing until the very last minute."

An expert on mental health and addiction who was supposed to testify on Hill's behalf was hired less than 24 hours before the hearing and spent only 20 or 30 minutes with Hill the morning before he testified, Payne says. He believes one factor is money.

"Hamilton County's been notorious in terms of the poor compensation for public defenders in death penalty cases," Payne says. "Ten years later, when you get into federal (habeas corpus hearings), those attorneys are paid $160 an hour. It seems a little out of kilter."

Death row families
A habeas corpus action, which begins the federal appeals of the conviction and sentence of the state court, can't happen until an execution date is set. Hill doesn't have one yet.

Hill joined in the Cooey v. Taft lawsuit that challenges Ohio's use of a three-drug lethal injection. It argues that one of the drugs masks the pain suffered during the execution. Payne isn't sure if the court is waiting on the outcome of that case to set the execution date requested by the state.

In the meantime, the family is doing everything it can to avert another tragedy. They began working with Families That Matter (FTM), organized by the Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center, (IJPC) in 2005. FTM trains families to prepare a clemency campaign, including drafting and circulating a petition requesting clemency.

A clemency hearing would be scheduled after federal appeals are finished.

IJPC is giving this "death row family" and others like them a voice. The group works in conjunction with the Ohioans to Stop Executions to educate the public about the effect that state-sanctioned murder has on families and the community.

Sanders says the ideal outcome would be seeing his nephew walk out of prison and having an opportunity to begin again. He's hoping for clemency because he doesn't want to have to bury another family member.

His daughter agrees. For now she appreciates what the fight to keep her cousin alive has already accomplished.

"I find something very interesting," Samantha Sanders says. "When we get together to meet with the attorney and the case workers ... more and more people volunteering to write a letter to do this, to do that. I see my dad and his brothers and sisters sitting around the table. It's unfortunate that we're here like this. I feel kind of sad, but it's nice to come together just be supportive of one another."

[guest]

The court scheduled a March 3 execution for Jeffrey Hill.
News article can be seen here;
bretthartmann.proboards107.com/index.cgi?board=ohionews&action=display&thread=472&page=1

[thinkinkmesa]

Cross Post;

State Supreme Court sets execution dates for 2 killers
Wednesday, December 3, 2008 11:39 AM


ASSOCIATED PRESS
COLUMBUS -- The Ohio Supreme Court has set execution dates next year for two condemned inmates.

The court today scheduled a March 3 execution for Jeffrey Hill, sentenced to death for killing his mother in Cincinnati in 1991 for money to buy crack cocaine.

The court also set an April 7 execution date for Brett Hartman, sentenced to die for stabbing a woman in Akron 138 times, then slitting her throat in 1997.

The state is once again executing inmates after the end of a de facto national moratorium on the death penalty that ended last April.

Ohio executed one inmate in October and another last month. There are 178 men and two women on the state's death row.
www.dispatch.com/live/content/loc....es.html?sid=101

[guest]

This is a strategic time to write the parole board, requesting clemency
for Jeffrey Hill.

The address is:
Cynthia B. Mausser, chair
Ohio Parole Board
770 West Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43222

It would be good to emphasize that although he killed his mother under the influence of crack, the family has forgiven him and is anxious not to see him killed and thereby lose yet another family member.

[thinkinkmesa]

PLEASE TAKE A MINUTE TO PRINT OUT ARTICLE AND SEND TO GOV. STRICKLAND:

On Saturday, January 24th, the Dispatch printed the following editorial written by Jeff Hill's uncle, Eddie Sanders. The family, both the murder victims' family and the death row family continues to urge the Ohio Parole Board and the Governor to support clemency for Jeff Hill. They have yet to receive a response, so it is CRITICAL that they know there are people watching this case.

PLEASE PRINT OUT THE ARTICLE and MAIL TO GOVERNOR STRICKLAND with a personal note asking Governor Strickland to commute Jeff's sentence.

Governor Strickland's address:
Governor's Office

Riffe Center, 30th Floor

77 South High Street

Columbus, OH 43215-6108

link to article: dispatch.com/live/content/editorials/stories/2009/01/24/Sanders_SAT_MUST_ART_01-24-09_A9_F5CL8RJ.html?sid=101

KILLER'S EXECUTION WOULD PROLONG THE SUFFERING OF VICTIM'S FAMILY

Saturday, January 24, 2009 3:16 AM

Eighteen years ago, my family experienced a profound tragedy when my sister Emma Dee Hill was murdered. We now face the excruciating possibility of suffering a second tragic death in the family: the execution of my nephew, Emma's son, who is responsible for the crime.

My nephew, Jeffrey Hill, is scheduled to be executed on March 3. My family -- including Emma's other siblings, nephews, nieces and grandchildren -- strongly opposes his death sentence. We believe that the tragedy of Emma's loss is only compounded by the fact that we now find ourselves pleading for the life of another one of our own.

Jeffrey, who was never violent as an adult, was not his true self on the day of his mother's death in March 1991. Spurred by his father's passing months before, Jeffrey had become addicted to crack cocaine. We cannot ignore the effects this had on him. His actions were shockingly out of character. Since Jeffrey got off drugs and became aware of what he had done, he has expressed unwavering remorse and heartache. We know in our hearts that had it not been for the effects of crack cocaine, this tragedy never would have occurred.

We acknowledge the crime and the need for punishment. We also understand that the wishes of victims' family members typically carry influence when determining sentencing in our criminal-justice system. In this case, the wishes of the family, as well as the victim herself, are clear.

Emma was a woman of great faith. She believed in redemption and that there is value in every one of us. We are certain that she would absolutely be opposed to the death sentence given to her son.

Another beloved member of our family made her views known in her final years. Emma's mother and Jeffrey's grandmother, Mary Ann Sanders, was vehemently opposed to Jeffrey's death sentence and signed an affidavit making her position clear. In her memory, and in that of Emma as well, we pray that Jeffrey's execution is stopped.

Ohio prosecutors often listen to the views of victims' family members when determining sentencing. These views should not be valued any less when they express opposition to a death sentence. Victims who oppose the death penalty are as deserving of respect in our criminal-justice system as those who support it.
For 18 years, we have grieved Emma's passing. As a family, we have gone through enough. Executing Jeffrey will not bring Emma back or negate our suffering. It will simply force us to endure another tragic loss. Therefore, it is our greatest hope that the Ohio Parole Board will recommend and Gov. Ted Strickland will grant Jeffrey's clemency appeal.

We already have suffered through the burial of a dear loved one. Our family hopes the state of Ohio honors Emma's wishes and does not force us to bury another.

EDDIE SANDERS 
Mount Healthy

[thinkinkmesa]

From a yahoo group email;

HI all OTSE members,

At the clemency hearing last Thursday, Sr. Alice Gerdeman (chair of OTSE)
and I (representing Families That Matter) attended the clemency hearing for
Jeff Hill and in suppport of the entire Hill and Sanders family.

The attorneys presented a very compelling clemency petition with very
strong testimony from the family, medical experts, and friends of Jeff Hill.

The parole board will release their vote on February 6th and that vote will
be forwarded to the Governor as their recommendation concerning clemency.

Since we're currently waiting to see what the parole board decides before
taking next steps, you can all expect a post following February 6th about
best actions to take. Right now, all those working closely on this case are
strategizing the most effective responses.

Thanks for being on top of it!

Julie Przybysz

[thinkinkmesa]

Message received via mail group;
Hello,

I'm thrilled to write today that the Ohio Adult Parole Authority voted unanimously (8-0) to recommend clemency and parole eligibility to Governor Ted Strickland for Jeffrey Hill.

We are very happy with the recommendation. Now, we will focus on making sure Governor Strickland hears us loud and clear and follows the recommendation.

OTSE is asking all its members and supporters to write to the governor in support of clemency and parole eligibility ASAP.

Our website has a sample letter on it with some more information. Please contact me if I can provide more details. www.otse.org

Special thanks to everyone who worked so hard to get to this point, especially the Hill family.

We're almost there. Thanks in advance for your help.

Eddie Sanders' statement to the media is posted below.

Kevin

Statement from Eddie Sanders

“My family and I send our deepest appreciation to the Ohio Parole Board for unanimously recommending clemency and parole eligibility for my nephew, Jeffrey Hill. We now pray that Governor Ted Strickland respects my family’s wishes and follows the Parole Board’s unified recommendation. "

“Eighteen years ago we suffered a profound loss when Jeffrey took the life of his mother, and my sister, Emma Dee Hill. Jeffrey became addicted to crack-cocaine after his father’s passing. My family knows that had it not been for the effect of drugs, this tragedy would never have occurred. We have forgiven Jeffrey and do not want to have to suffer through the tragic loss of another one of our own. We are certain that Emma herself, who was a woman of great faith and conviction, would also be absolutely opposed to the death sentence given to Jeffrey."

“Twelve members of my family appealed to the Parole Board to spare Jeffrey’s life. It was the first time that we were able to state our wishes in depth. We were cast aside at trial, and the jury never heard from Emma's mother, her two brothers and sister, all of us who were and who remain opposed to Jeffrey receiving a death sentence. It is tremendously meaningful that we were able to have our position recognized by all of the members of the Parole Board today. We are so very thankful that the Parole Board respected our plea and recommended clemency."

“My family, including Emma’s mother, other siblings, nephews, nieces and grandchildren, does not want this execution carried out in our name. We pray that Governor Ted Strickland upholds the Board’s recommendation and grants clemency and parole eligibility to Jeffrey.”

Eddie Sanders, brother of Emma Dee Hill and uncle of Jeffrey Hill, on behalf of
Emma Dee Hill’s family

[thinkinkmesa]

Parole board will recommend mercy for death row inmate

BY ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS • ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER • FEBRUARY 6, 2009

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Parole Board on Friday recommended unanimously
that Gov. Ted Strickland spare a death row inmate whose entire family
opposes his execution.

The board voted 8-0 in favor of mercy for Jeffrey Hill, who killed
his mother in 1991 in a crack-cocaine induced rage, according to a
copy of the board recommendation obtained by The Associated Press.

The board recommends that Strickland commute Hill’s sentence to life
in prison with parole eligibility after 25 years.

Hill is scheduled to be executed March 3 for killing Emma Hill during
a robbery that netted $100. Her surviving brothers and sisters oppose
Hill’s execution, as did Emma Hill’s mother.

Ohio prison officials say it’s the first time an inmate facing death
for killing a family member has unanimous backing from his family as
he fights execution.

The board cited the “compelling and unanimous opinion of victim Emma
Hill’s family who favor clemency in this case,” the report said.
“They have suffered tremendous loss, and execution would add further
to their suffering.”

The board also says Hill has shown genuine remorse for his crime and
said the death sentence was not proportionate to punishments for
similar crimes where someone killed his mother or father.

“The Board does not consider this offense and offender the ’worst of
the worse’ as in other death penalty cases,” the board said.

Strickland will review the case thoroughly before making a decision,
spokeswoman Amanda Wurst said Friday.

A message was left with the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s office
seeking comment.

Strickland commuted the death sentence of condemned killer John
Spirko last year out of concern over evidence in the case and the
possibility he didn’t commit the murder he was convicted of.

Strickland has allowed four other executions to proceed.

The board’s recommendation was the first unanimous decision in favor
of clemency since the state resumed executions in 1999.

It’s also the first time the board recommended an alternative
sentence of less than life without the possibility of parole.

www.chillicothegazette.com/article/20090206/UPDATES01/90206009

[thinkinkmesa]

Killer hopes his family finds peace



YOUNGSTOWN - In his first interview since the Ohio Parole Board
recommended clemency, death row Jeffrey Hill, 44, who fatally stabbed
his mother in her Walnut Hills apartment in 1991, said he has hope.

But, it's not for himself.

It's hope that his family, which has fought against his execution
despite the fact that their sister, aunt and grandmother was the
victim, will be at peace.

"It would be better if the governor decides with the parole board,"
Hill said. "But until that happens we have to keep hoping and praying."

The Ohio Parole Board made the rare move last Friday to recommend
that Hill's sentence be commuted to life in prison with the
possibility of parole after 25 years.

It is now up to Gov. Ted Strickland to act on that recommendation or
allow the March 3 execution to go forward.

"I stopped caring about me a long time ago," said Hill, in a
interview at the Ohio State Penitentiary in Youngstown, where death
row inmates are housed. "It's about them."

Hill said if he could tell Strickland one thing, he wouldn't use that
time to plea for his life.

Instead he would tell him: "I'm sorry he's placed in this position. I
hate that we're here today, that he even has to make this decision."

To read more;
news.cincinnati.com/article/20090210/NEWS01/302100075/1056/COL02

[guest]

Today, Governor Strickland granted clemency to Jeffrey Hill!! His sentence was commuted to life with parole!! Read more below, 'From the Governor's desk':

Also here is a statement from the Sanders / Hill family:

On behalf of
Emma Dee Hill’s family

“My family and I are absolutely elated that Governor Ted Strickland followed the Parole Board’s unanimous recommendation and commuted Jeffrey's sentence to life with the possibility of parole. Our family's prayers have finally been answered, and we are so grateful to Governor Strickland, the Parole Board, and all of Jeffrey's supporters for giving him a second chance at life. The Governor's actions today not only respect our wishes, but they also honor the memory of my beloved sister and Jeffrey's mother, Emma Dee Hill, who believed in the power of redemption and the value of all life.

“Again, my family and I extend our deepest thanks to Governor Strickland for giving Jeffrey a second chance, which we believe he so very much deserves.”

Eddie Sanders is the brother of Emma Dee Hill and uncle of Jeffrey Hill


FROM THE GOVERNOR'S DESK:

STATEMENT REGARDING CLEMENCY APPLICATION JEFFREY D. HILL


Columbus , Ohio – Governor Ted Strickland today issued the following statement regarding the pending clemency application of Jeffrey D. Hill:


“Jeffrey Hill was convicted, by a jury, of the aggravated murder of Emma Hill, his mother. He is scheduled to be executed on March 3, 2009.


On February 6, 2009, the Ohio Parole Board unanimously recommended that Mr. Hill be granted a commutation of his death sentence to a sentence of from 25 years to life. The Parole Board cited five basic reasons for its recommendation: the views of the victim’s family, the lack of adequate representation by counsel at Mr. Hill’s sentencing, the remorse demonstrated by Mr. Hill regarding his actions, the lack of proportionality of the sentence of death in this case when compared with similar murder cases, and the expressed views of two justices of the Ohio Supreme Court which reviewed this case on appeal.


In making my determination regarding Mr. Hill’s clemency application, my staff and I have reviewed the record of the proceedings and the evidence presented in Mr. Hill’s case, the judicial decisions regarding Mr. Hill’s conviction, the Application for Executive Clemency filed by Mr. Hill’s attorney and arguments presented for and against the clemency request, and other materials provided by attorneys. We have also reviewed letters and petitions received in the Governor’s office regarding this matter and supplemental briefings provided by the Ohio Public Defender’s office. Finally, we reviewed the Ohio Parole Board’s report and recommendation.


Based on this review, I concur with the rationale and recommendation of the Ohio Parole Board and have, therefore, decided to commute Mr. Hill’s sentence to a term of from 25 years to life.”


A copy of the warrant of commutation of sentence is included below:



Warrant of Commutation of Sentence


Jeffrey D. Hill #A261-876 was convicted of the crime of Aggravated Murder with a Death Penalty Specification and sentenced by the Hamilton County Common Pleas Court to death.


Mr. Hill is currently incarcerated in the custody of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction and is scheduled to be executed on March 3, 2009.


After the review of extensive material associated with this case, I concur with the unanimous rationale and recommendation of the Ohio Parole Board.


Accordingly, I direct that the sentence of death of Jeffrey D. Hill be commuted to a term of from 25 years to life.


I signed this Warrant of Commutation on February 12, 2009, in Columbus, Ohio.


____________________________

Ted Strickland, Governor







Filed the 13th day of February, 2009 with the Hamilton County Common Pleas Clerk of Court by Jose A. Torres.

[guest]

LET'S THANK GOVERNOR STRICKLAND AND THE PAROLE BOARD

Yesterday afternoon, Governor Strickland followed through with the Parole Board's recommendation to grant Jeffrey Hill clemency with parole eligibility.

What a wonderful opportunity we have to show our appreciation for the Governor Strickland and Parole Board for making the choice of clemency for Jeff and for his family.

TO THANK THE GOVERNOR:
Call: [phone]

Write to:
Governor's Office
Riffe Center, 30th Floor
77 South High Street
Columbus, OH 43215-6108

Here are some things you may want to mention in your message about Jeff's case:

- Thank you for recognizing the disparities in the system and that there important considerations the appeals process fails to address.
- Thank you for being open to the possibility that human beings can change
- Thank you for leading the state towards a new time of compassion
- This is just one more example of how messy and complicated the death penalty is Ohio and we can't have it

TO THANK THE PAROLE BOARD:
CALL: 614-752-1159, ext. 2

Write:
Cynthia Mausser, Chair of Ohio Parole Board
770 West Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio 43222

Media Coverage Highlights: Strickland's Decision

Associated Press, Andrew Welsh-Huggins, "Ohio governor grants clemency for death row inmate," February 12, 2009
www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gPM2hcGev79PYZuIp_SzPwQjXiRgD96ABCQO0

Cincinnati Enquirer, Sharon Coolidge, "Off death row, parole now possible; Governor heeds board's call for clemency in murder case," February 13, 2009
news.cincinnati.com/article/20090213/NEWS01/902130361/1056/COL02

Columbus Dispatch, Alan Johnson, "Strickland spares inmate's life; Clemency overjoys family of man who killed his mother," February 13, 2009
www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/02/13/copy/HILL.ART_ART_02-13-09_B1_T7CTCRR.html?adsec=politics&sid=101

Dayton Daily News, Tom Beyerlein and Laura A. Bischoff, "Death Row convict granted clemency," February 12, 2009
www.middletownjournal.com/hp/content/oh/story/news/local/2009/02/12/ddn021209hillweb.html

Cleveland Plain-Dealer, "Death Row inmate Jeffrey Hill's sentence commuted by Gov. Strickland," February 12, 2009
blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/02/gov_strickland_commutes_death.html

CNN.com, Bill Mears, "Ohio governor reduces sentence for man who killed mom," February 12, 2009
www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/02/12/ohio.killer.clemency/

USA Today, "Ohio governor grants clemency to killer, honoring wish of victim's family," February 12, 2009
blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2009/02/ohio-governor-g.html

Cleveland Plain-Dealer, Regina Brett, "Jeffrey Hill's life was saved by 9 courageous people," February 13, 2009
www.cleveland.com/brett/blog/index.ssf/2009/02/jeffrey_hills_life_was_saved_b.html

[guest]

Ohio inmate spared execution moved off death row
February 23, 2009 12:26 EST

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- A condemned killer spared execution by Gov.
Ted Strickland is adjusting to life off Ohio's death row.

Jeffrey Hill was moved Friday from death row at the Ohio State
Penitentiary in Youngstown to Warren Correctional Institution in
Lebanon. The transfer was not announced for security reasons.

The southwest Ohio facility is a "close security" prison one notch
below maximum security.

The 44-year-old Hill killed his mother in a cocaine-induced rage
during a 1991 robbery that netted $100.

His March execution was opposed by his entire family, including his
mother's siblings, who said they had suffered enough.

Strickland commuted Hill's sentence Feb. 12 to life in prison with
parole possible after 25 years.

Ohio had 175 men and one woman on death row Monday, one of the lowest
figures in decades.

www.wtte28.com/template/inews_wire/wires.regional.oh/2c8f9f0e-www.wtte28.com.shtml