Post by thinkinkmesa on Apr 5, 2009 11:04:40 GMT -5
You will have to visit the link below to hear the audio portions.
www.akronnewsnow.com/news/itemdetail.asp?ID=31088§ion=news&subsection=localnews&title=AUDIO_UPDATE_Hartman_Execution_Delayed
AUDIO UPDATE Hartman Execution Delayed
3/31/2009 11:42:16 AM | Associated Press
A federal appeals court has delayed the April execution of an Ohio man who says he is innocent and needs more time to prove his case.
The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati agreed Tuesday to grant a short reprieve to condemned killer Brett Hartman, scheduled to die April 7.
A three-judge panel of the court says a short delay is appropriate to determine whether Hartman could successfully pursue a broader federal case that he is innocent. Hartman was sentenced to die for the fatal stabbing and mutilation of his 46-year-old girlfriend Winda Snipes in Akron on
September 9, 1997.
"We're very happy to have time to continue working on the case," said Federal Public Defender David Stebbins.
LISTEN to David Stebbins explain
Stebbins says the reprieve is dependent to a case that's pending in the United States Supreme Court. That case is expected to be decided in June or July, according to Stebbins.
Hartman's sister, Diane Morretti, says 25 or so family members were surprised by the news when they visited him today. "During the visit was when they told Brett about the decision and he came in. Obviously when he broke down crying everybody else did."
LISTEN to Diane Morretti discuss reaction to reprieve
Moretti says it was a great relief and what the family has been praying for.
Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh says granting a temporary stay of execution isn't uncommon. "On behalf of the family members of the victim in this case, we feel bad about it because it's very difficult to see something drag out so long and not see a sentence carried out," Walsh explains.
She also feels the evidence against Hartman is "very solid," but can't "speculate" what will happen from this date forward.
On Monday, the Ohio Supreme Court turned down a request to hear arguments alleging that a jailhouse inmate lied - one piece of evidence that ultimately led to Hartman's conviction and death sentence. He had also asked the high court to order additional DNA testing and allow him to join a pending lawsuit that alleged Ohio's method of execution does not meet constitutional standards.
Additional information by Chris Keppler, Marcy Pappafava & Tina Kaufmann
www.akronnewsnow.com/news/itemdetail.asp?ID=31088§ion=news&subsection=localnews&title=AUDIO_UPDATE_Hartman_Execution_Delayed
AUDIO UPDATE Hartman Execution Delayed
3/31/2009 11:42:16 AM | Associated Press
A federal appeals court has delayed the April execution of an Ohio man who says he is innocent and needs more time to prove his case.
The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati agreed Tuesday to grant a short reprieve to condemned killer Brett Hartman, scheduled to die April 7.
A three-judge panel of the court says a short delay is appropriate to determine whether Hartman could successfully pursue a broader federal case that he is innocent. Hartman was sentenced to die for the fatal stabbing and mutilation of his 46-year-old girlfriend Winda Snipes in Akron on
September 9, 1997.
"We're very happy to have time to continue working on the case," said Federal Public Defender David Stebbins.
LISTEN to David Stebbins explain
Stebbins says the reprieve is dependent to a case that's pending in the United States Supreme Court. That case is expected to be decided in June or July, according to Stebbins.
Hartman's sister, Diane Morretti, says 25 or so family members were surprised by the news when they visited him today. "During the visit was when they told Brett about the decision and he came in. Obviously when he broke down crying everybody else did."
LISTEN to Diane Morretti discuss reaction to reprieve
Moretti says it was a great relief and what the family has been praying for.
Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh says granting a temporary stay of execution isn't uncommon. "On behalf of the family members of the victim in this case, we feel bad about it because it's very difficult to see something drag out so long and not see a sentence carried out," Walsh explains.
She also feels the evidence against Hartman is "very solid," but can't "speculate" what will happen from this date forward.
On Monday, the Ohio Supreme Court turned down a request to hear arguments alleging that a jailhouse inmate lied - one piece of evidence that ultimately led to Hartman's conviction and death sentence. He had also asked the high court to order additional DNA testing and allow him to join a pending lawsuit that alleged Ohio's method of execution does not meet constitutional standards.
Additional information by Chris Keppler, Marcy Pappafava & Tina Kaufmann