Columbus, Ohio – Governor Ted Strickland today issued the following statement regarding the Ohio Parole Board’s recommendation against executive clemency for James Filiaggi:
“As a result of his conviction for aggravated murder, the Ohio Supreme Court has scheduled the execution of Mr. James J. Filiaggi for April 24, 2007 at 10 a.m. Although Mr. Filiaggi has not requested clemency, I have completed my review to determine if executive clemency is warranted in this capital murder case.
In making my determination, my staff and I reviewed the trial transcripts, the report of the forensic psychiatrist that was prepared for trial, trial photographs and videos, the Adult Parole Authority’s report, phone calls recordings introduced at trial, judicial rulings, Mr. Filiaggi’s institutional mental health records, letters received by the Parole Board, arguments presented at the Parole Board hearing and the exhibits presented at the Parole Board hearing.
We have also reviewed letters received in the Governor’s Office regarding this matter and the unanimous recommendation against clemency forwarded to me by the Ohio Parole Board on February 1, 2007.
Based on this review, I concur with the Parole Board recommendation on this matter."