Ohio board votes for mercy for condemned inmate

COLUMBUS (AP) — The Ohio Parole Board has recommended clemency for a condemned inmate scheduled to die next month, a rare gesture of mercy from the panel.

According to a copy of the decision obtained by The Associated Press, the board ruled 4-3 today in favor of clemency for Richard Nields, sentenced to die June 10.

The board questioned the validity of medical evidence used at Nields’ trial that helped support a death sentence.

The ruling is only a recommendation for Gov. Ted Strickland, who has the final say.

Strickland last year rejected a ruling by the board to grant clemency to a condemned inmate whose co-conspirators did not receive death sentences.

The 59-year-old Nields killed Patricia Newsome during a 1997 argument in suburban Cincinnati.