Court rejects condemned killer’s challenge of court costs

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

The Ohio Supreme Court has rejected arguments on behalf of a death-row inmate who wanted his court-ordered payments adjusted, saying he’s so poor he can’t afford new shoes or boots.

Condemned prisoner David Braden earns $16 a month in inmate pay. He is only allowed a maximum of $25 in his account as he pays off court costs from his 1999 trial.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio said the cheapest pair of prison shoes for purchase on death row cost $27.95.

Braden’s attorneys and the ACLU argued a 2013 law allowing for the modification of court costs should apply to inmates sentenced before then.

The Ohio Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled 5-2 that the law is not retroactive.