Man granted clemency after serving 13 years for murder

Man granted clemency after serving 13 years for murder

Laverne Knighten rejoiced after learning Governor Ted Strickland of Ohio granted her son, Willie Knighten Jr., clemency for the 1996 shooting death of Irving Turner. The executive order from the governor came after Willie spent almost 13 years in prison. Just before the judge in the 1996 case, William Skow, died he wrote a petition for Knighten's clemency. "Over the past several years I have increasingly persuaded that my findings were erroneous and that in fact it is more likely than not that Willie Knighten was innocent of the underlying charges. This case has weighed heavily on my mind ever since," Judge Skow stated in his letter. "He has now served 12 years for an offense he likely did not commit," he added. Clemency is an executive power that the president or a governor, in this case Governor Strickland, can apply by granting clemency. Knighten is still technically guilty of all charges including murder, attempted murder and two firearms charges. Instead of serving the original 15 to life sentence Knighten gets credit for the almost 15 years served and gets out. While the Knightens cried tears of joy, making plans with Willie to pick him up tomorrow morning, a mother still grieves for her dead son. Addie Turner is the mother of the 1996 victim. She says she feels ok about Willie being released. "Willie did way overtime." Meanwhile, Laverne Knighten says she's grateful for her sons return, "Its a blessing the church has been praying [for] and it's nothing but the grace of God."