Ronald Post will not be put to death for the 1983 murder of Elyria motel clerk Helen Vantz but instead spend the rest of his life in prison.
That’s the news Monday after Gov. John Kasich decided to follow the recommendation of the Ohio Parole Board and grant clemency to Post. By a 5-3 vote, the board had said Friday “the totality of omission, missed opportunities and questionable (if not inexplicable) tactical decisions made by Post’s former attorneys warrant the exercise of executive clemency” in a report sent to Kasich.
On Monday, Kasich said in a statement that he agreed with the state board that the 53-year-old Post did not come close to receiving an effective defense.
The board said the mistakes by Post’s original attorneys included having Post take a polygraph test from an examiner who had already been retained by the prosecution in the case as well as enter a no contest plea with no assurance it would be considered mitigation in the sentencing phase.
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