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Watkins honored for achievements
By Ed Runyan
WARREN
Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins is perhaps the only Ohio prosecutor to successfully argue against clemency for three killers who he also prosecuted for capital murder.
That demonstrates achievement and longevity, said Chris Becker, an assistant prosecutor under Watkins, in a nomination letter he wrote to the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association.
The organization rewarded Watkins with the Outstanding Prosecuting Attorney of the Year award for those and other achievements during its annual meeting last week in Columbus.
Watkins has been Trumbull’s prosecutor since 1984 and began his career in the prosecutor’s office in 1971.
Over that span, Watkins prosecuted nine of the 11 Trumbull County murderers sentenced to death, including the three who eventually were executed by the state — Jason Getsy of Hubbard in August 2009, Kenneth Biros of Brookfield Township in December 2009 and Roderick Davie of Warren in August.
Forty-five times Watkins has successfully prosecuted murderers.
Becker and Watkins agree that among the most significant cases to come to the attention of the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association was the clemency proceedings involving Getsy in 2009, after the state parole board recommended clemency by a 5-2 vote, citing the fact that a co-defendant who ordered the killing did not also receive the death penalty.
Gov. Ted Strickland, however, rejected clemency and allowed the execution to take place.
The Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association and Mahoning Valley Chiefs of Police Association joined Watkins in opposing the parole board’s position.
Watkins said he believes it may be the only time an Ohio governor has disregarded a parole board recommendation for clemency and gone forward with execution.
Watkins said he believes the honor is recognition of the work of all the people who work in Trumbull’s criminal-justice system, including police officers, judges, juries and defense attorneys.
“I’ve had an outstanding staff over the years and the support of the community,” Watkins said, adding: “My job is to ensure the safety of the community.”
Watkins pointed to a Nov. 9 poll by Angus Reed Public Opinion that showed 83 percent support among Americans for the death penalty, saying Trumbull County jurors have shown support for the punishment.
“The law is the law, and it needs to be enforced,” Watkins added.