The Latest: Attorney for spared killer thankful for decision

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Latest on governor commuting sentence of condemned killer (all times local):

4:30 p.m.

An attorney for a convicted killer spared from execution by Ohio Gov. John Kasich (KAY’-sik) says they’re grateful for the governor’s decision and will continue to pursue a “new and fair” trial.

The decision by the Republican governor Monday followed a recommendation the Ohio Parole Board in favour of clemency for death row inmate William Montgomery.

Kasich says he commuted Montgomery’s sentence to life without the possibility of parole.

Montgomery was sentenced to die for the 1986 shooting of Debra Ogle during a robbery in the Toledo area.

Montgomery’s attorneys argued there were too much doubt and uncertainty about the case and that prosecutors withheld evidence at trial that could have changed the result.

A message left with the Lucas County prosecutor wasn’t immediately returned.

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2:10 p.m.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich (KAY’-sik) has spared a condemned killer ahead of his scheduled execution on April 11.

The decision by the Republican governor Monday followed a recommendation on March 16 by the Ohio Parole Board in favour of clemency for death row inmate William Montgomery.

Kasich says he commuted Montgomery’s sentence to life without the possibility of parole.

Montgomery was sentenced to die for the March 1986 shooting of Debra Ogle during a robbery in the Toledo area.

Montgomery’s attorneys argued there were too much doubt and uncertainty about the case and that prosecutors withheld evidence at trial that could have changed the result.