Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins and members of Ann Serafino's family breathed a sigh of relief Friday morning as they learned that Governor Ted Strickland chose not to grant clemency to convicted killer Jason Getsy of Hubbard.
Watkins, who prosecuted Getsy's case, along with several organizations and other prosecutors across the state, sent letters and petitions to the governor asking him not to follow the parole board's recommendation that Getsy be granted clemency.
"He proceeded to shoot her and said die b----," Watkins said. "If you can get any worse than that, then tell me what it is."
Charles Serafino, who was shot several times by Getsy, and his sister Nancy, say they are relieved with the governor's ruling and now feel their mother will get justice.
However, John Shultz, who represented Getsy in the trial, disagrees with the decision. "It is disappointing due to the fact the governor, who when he campaigned addressed his opposition to the death penalty, but then succumbed to the pressure of the Ohio Police Chief's Association," Shultz said.
Barring any last minute appeals, Getsy will be executed Tuesday.
Getsy was convicted of the 1995 murder of Ann Serafino and the attempted murder of her son, Chuck. Police have said that Getsy and others were hired by John Santine to carry out the murder of Chuck Serafino and any witnesses. Getsy was the trigger man and the only one sentenced to death.
