Thank you to everyone who has signed and stood with the Ohio 4. Despite overwhelming evidence of innocence, including a full witness recantation and a joint motion by the former prosecutor to vacate the convictions, justice continues to be delayed.
After the motion was filed, political interference followed. The Ohio Attorney General urged delay, and although the court initially rejected that request, the case was later stalled, allowing the wrongful convictions to remain in place.
This injustice continues only because decision-makers are choosing delay over action.
Take Action Now
Please email, call, fax, and write the current Lorain County Prosecutor and demand justice:
Hon. Anthony Cillo
Lorain County Prosecutor
225 Court Street, 3rd Floor
Elyria, OH 44035
Phone: 440-329-5389 | 440-329-5631
Fax: 440-329-5430
Email: lcp@lcprosecutor.org | tony.cillo@lcprosecutor.org
Demand the immediate vacating of the wrongful convictions of the Ohio 4.
Case summary: https://freetheohio4.org
Case documentation: https://freetheohio4.com
Justice delayed is justice denied. Please act today.
Below is a letter template:
Subject: Demand Immediate Vacating of the Ohio 4 Wrongful Convictions
Dear Prosecutor Cillo,
I am writing to urge you to immediately move to vacate the wrongful convictions of Alfred Cleveland, Benson Davis, John Edwards, and Lenworth Edwards, known as the Ohio 4.
The murder in this case occurred in 1991, and the convictions were based solely on the testimony of a single witness who has since fully recanted. William Avery Jr. admitted, first to the FBI and later in a sworn affidavit, that he lied to obtain reward money. This evidence was never presented to a jury.
There is no physical evidence, no credible eyewitness testimony, and multiple ignored alibi witnesses. Even the original prosecutor has acknowledged the unreliability of the key testimony.
In 2024, outgoing Prosecutor J.D. Tomlinson filed a joint motion with defense counsel to vacate these convictions and committed to dismissing the charges once the court ruled. Withdrawing that motion has prolonged a grave injustice and undermined public confidence in the integrity of the justice system.
Justice requires action, not delay. I respectfully urge you to restore the joint motion and support the immediate vacating of these wrongful convictions.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[City, State]