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Commute the Death Sentence of Michael Benge
  1. Signatures
    32 out of 100
    Petitioning
    1. The Governor of OH
  2. Created By
    Julie Przybysz
    Cincinnati, OH
About this Petition Petition Letter
Why This Is Important

Michael is repentant and takes responsibility for the murder of Judith Gabbard, but still maintains his innocence in regard to the robbery that the prosecution alleged in order to make him death penalty eligible. 

There were improper jury instructions which precluded the jury from hearing Michael’s defense. In fact, Judge Martin, of the 6th Circuit believes Michael should be granted a new trial for this reason.Michael’s trial attorney had a conflict of interest that severely hampered Michael’s defense.

                  -Appellate counsel discovered an undisclosed deal for the states number one witness, but failed to raise it in Michael’s appeals. The prosecutor misled the jury, saying “no deals were made!”

Recent Signatures

Commute the Death Sentence of Michael Benge

Greetings Governor Strickland,

We, the undersigned, together with the family and friends of Michael Benge, urge Governor Strickland to commute Michael Benge’s death sentence.

Michael is repentant and takes responsibility for the murder of Judith Gabbard, but still maintains his innocence in regard to the robbery that the prosecution alleged in order to make him death penalty eligible.

• There were improper jury instructions which precluded the jury from hearing Michael’s defense. In fact, Judge Martin, of the 6th Circuit believes Michael should be granted a new trial for this reason.
• Michael’s trial attorney had a conflict of interest that severely hampered Michael’s defense.
-Appellate counsel discovered an undisclosed deal for the states number one witness, but failed to raise it in Michael’s appeals. The prosecutor misled the jury, saying “no deals were made!”

We deeply sympathize with the family and friends of Judith Gabbard, but we respectfully offer that another death will neither heal nor resolve this tragedy
Action petitioned for: We, the undersigned, are concerned citizens who urge Governor Strickland to commute the sentence of Michael Benge to life without parole.

[Your name]