Dear OTSE Supporter,

6 Ohio Death Row Exonerees pose with Rep. Antonio and OTSE Exec. Dir. Kevin Werner after press conference.
Exonerees and OTSE members deliver death penalty reform recommendations to OH Senate President Faber (R).
OTSE Members and Ohio Death Row Exonerees speak with Chair of Senate Criminal Justice Committee, Sen. Eklund (R).

Where to start? Wow. OTSE really is on new footing now, and it’s because of friends and supporters like you. Your voice was louder than ever at the Statehouse yesterday, calling for an end to the death penalty and for reforms until enough legislators are ready to get rid of it once and for all.

The message was echoed best on Cleveland.com – read it and see a short video here.

We can’t say THANK YOU enough to Rep. Nickie Antonio for sponsoring the press conference, and Ohio Death Row Survivors Dale Johnston, Derrick Jamison, Joe D’Ambrosio, Kwame Ajamu, Wiley Bridgeman and Ricky Jackson for so clearly articulating the imperative to end executions. I also want to thank the women supporting these men – LaShawn, Katrina, Michelle and Nicole.

Many OTSE members and coalition partners were in attendance, and their presence was augmented by OTSE supporters who have in the past week helped us get $3,000 of the way towards our $10,000 matching grant goal! We still have a ways to go, so I ask you to click here now to double your donation and help keep OTSE going.

Finally, next steps:

  • If you live in the district of one of the legislators who met with us yesterday, watch for another message asking you to thank your legislator for meeting with us, and there will be an additional message following up on the specific conversation that we had.
  • If you are willing to send a letter to the editor of your local newspaper this week, please e-mail abe@otse.org to tell him what newspapers cover the area you live. He’ll get back to you within 24 hours with a key point to make that is relevant to legislators in that readership area.

Thank you. We heard again and again yesterday that OTSE has raised the bar on our issue at the Statehouse. This is only true because of your involvement and support. Thank you.

Thank You,



Kevin Werner

Executive Director

PS – Consider becoming an inaugural member of OTSE’s new Sustainer Program. OTSE sustainers make a monthly commitment that our organization can count on. For what you might spend on lunch or dinner once a month, you can keep OTSE going strong without even having to think about it!