Man Kills, Goes To Prison, Released Early, Kills Again

(Columbus, Ohio) In 1987, Michael Grover stabbed Cyrus Gatewood to death and was convicted of the killing and sent to prison. In 2003, the Ohio Supreme Court issued a ruling called the Layne Decision which allowed Grover to get an early release from incarceration. Last Sunday, Grover stabbed Jason Schmalenberger multiple times, killing the father of three.

The Layne Decision imposed more restrictions on the criteria the parole board uses in granting parole. I'm no expert, but apparently the parole board could no longer consider whether the convict was a threat to society. In the case of Michael Grover, a proven threat to society, the parole board could not prevent his release, thanks to the Ohio Supreme Court.

Incidents of this nature, where a convict is released and kills again, provide all the justification many people need to support the death penalty.