Calling it one of the worst murder cases he has ever tried, Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins Monday urged the state parole board in Columbus not to recommend clemency for Kenneth Biros.
Biros was convicted of the 1991 murder and dismemberment of Tami Engstrom.
"There is no way to express what was done to this poor girl by this defendent," Watkins said.
Biros' attorneys, however, said their client is remorseful, has shown spiritual growth and has been a model prisoner.
Biros' family did not appear but gave letters on his behalf asking for mercy.
But Watkins and Tami's family members, including her mother who was too ill to make the trip, said Biros does not deserve mercy.
"She was raped, she was tortured for hours," said Debi Heiss. "She had to be so scared that night."
Tami's brother agreed and said the family has been waiting for years for justice for Tami.
"I feel like we are puppets and Biros is pulling all the strings," Tommy Heiss said. "It is time for this to come to an end."
The parole board will now consider all the information they heard at the hearing as well as a statement from Biros before making their recommendation to the governor. That recommendation is expected to made Nov. 17.
In October, a temporary stay of execution was issued as the state continues to look into protocols on its lethal injection procedure. Biros' execution date had been set for Dec. 8.
