The Ohio parole board has recommended against mercy for a condemned Ohio killer who shot two people to death in back-to-back robberies over two days.
Gary Otte was sentenced to die for the Feb. 12, 1992, killing of Robert Wasikowski and the Feb. 13, 1992, killing of Sharon Kostura. Both slayings took place in Parma in suburban Cleveland.
The board voted unanimously Friday to reject a request for clemency made by Otte's attorneys in February. Gov. John Kasich has the final say. Otte's execution is scheduled for June 13.
Otte's lawyers argued that drug addiction, intoxication and depression led to the crimes.
The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor said Otte still won't take full responsibility and tries to blame others, including the victims.
Kasich has delayed eight executions as a court fight continues over the constitutionality of the state's lethal injection process.
The Republican governor's announcement Friday postpones an execution scheduled for next week until May. It also moves seven other procedures months into the future.
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Kasich said the timing of arguments before a Cincinnati federal appeals court necessitated the delay.
The court is hearing Ohio's appeal of a judge's order finding the state's latest execution process unconstitutional.
Kasich said he's confident Ohio will win the appeal, but the court calendar didn't provide enough time to prepare for executions scheduled this month, next month and April.
Ronald Phillips, scheduled to die next week for raping and killing his girlfriend's 3-year-old daughter, is now set for execution May 10.
