Victim's family again pleads for Kenneth Biros' death

COLUMBUS — Family members of a Trumbull County woman brutally murdered and dismembered have once again asked the state parole board to allow her killer to face execution.

In emotional testimony before the board today, Tami Engstrom's sister, brother and mother-in-law said Kenneth Biros should finally face the death penalty issued by a jury in the case 18 years ago.

"It appalls me and I think it is outrageous, absurd and a slap in the face of our judicial system that a brutalistic monster such as Kenneth Biros has the power to undermine our justice system and still breathe and exist on the face of this earth," said Debi Heiss, sister of the victim.

"The system keeps baling out Kenneth Biros and denying justice to my family. Where is the humanity for the victim's family?"

But legal counsel for Biros argued that the board should grant clemency in this case, given the inmate's good behavior behind bars, his remorse for his actions and the state's botched execution of an inmate earlier this year.

"Ken killed this young woman," said John Parker, Biros' legal counsel. "It was totally unnecessary. It was tragic in every sense of the word. It was heinous. It was unforgivable. But we're asking this board and the governor to exercise mercy."

For details, see Tuesday's Vindicator or watch Vindy.com.