Jeffrey Hill

Background

Jeffrey Hill was born in 1964 and grew up in Cincinnati with his mother and brother. His father deserted the family when Hill was a small child. His grandfather acted as a surrogate father and died when Hill was about 10. Hill reconnected with his father, and Hill and his girlfriend started a family with two daughters and a stepdaughter. Hill’s stability crumbled when his father died of cancer in 1990, and Hill turned to crack cocaine. Hill stated: "I thought that I always could control it," and that his addiction "got worse and worse." Later that year, Hill got probation for drug abuse and carrying a concealed weapon, a nine-inch switchblade. Hill said he ended up running with the wrong crowd. Hill said he dropped out of school after the ninth grade to take care of his mother, who had been partially paralyzed by a stroke. Hill later fulfilled a promise to his mother by getting his GED.

The offence

On 3/23/91, Hill murdered his 61-year-old mother, Emma Hill, in her Cincinnati apartment. After getting into an argument with his mother over the frequency of his visits, Hill stabbed her 10 times in the chest and back. Hill then stole $20 and left in her car. After spending the money on crack cocaine, Hill returned to his mother’s apartment and stole another $80.

On Saturday, March 26, 1991, Hill visited his 61-year-old mother’s apartment high on crack. Hill later told police she complained that he didn’t visit her often enough. They argued and "the next thing I know, she's laying on the floor." Hill stabbed her repeatedly with a kitchen knife. As a dying Emma Hill asked, "Why? Why did you do it?," Hill rummaged through her things looking for money to buy more crack. Hill was arrested hours later in her car.

Investigation

Hill confessed to the police three days later. Emma Hill’s uncle and Emma Hill’s brother, Eddie Sanders of Cincinnati, was quoted opposing execution and stating:

"If it's going to bring my sister back, go ahead and take his life," said Hill's uncle and Emma Hill's brother, Eddie Sanders of Cincinnati. "But it's not going to bring my sister back. What's done is done. There's always time to stop the killing."

Hill’s public defenders told the parole board about a similar homicide in 1992 in Hamilton County, where the defendant was charged with a lesser offense, served his sentence, and was already free from prison.

Arrest

Hill was arrested hours later in his car.

Trial

Hill’s subsequent conviction and death sentence stood up to multiple appeals through the years.

Sentencing

Hill was sentenced to death on June 19, 1992.

Appeals

Hill’s conviction and death sentence stood up to multiple appeals through the years.

Outcome

Hill was granted clemency by Gov. Ted Strickland. Strickland granted clemency on Feb. 12 after an 8-0 recommendation of the Ohio Parole Board. Strickland reduced Hill’s death sentence to 25 years to life, meaning Hill could eventually be paroled. The record of Hill’s death sentence and clemency described that the parole board recommendation and Strickland’s decision resulted in commutation to life in prison.

The Ohio Parole Board recommended unanimously that Gov. Ted Strickland spare a death row inmate. The board voted 8-0 in favor of mercy for Jeffrey Hill. The board recommended that Strickland commute Hill’s sentence to life in prison with parole eligibility after 25 years.

Hill said he didn’t want to be executed because, "I don't want to cause my family any more pain because of my actions. It all comes back to my actions." Hill also said: "I made a conscious decision to do drugs," and "Because of that choice, my mother isn't here today, my kids don't have a grandmother. I can't make any excuses for that."

The parole board cited the "compelling and unanimous opinion of victim Emma Hill's family who favor clemency in this case," and said: "They have suffered tremendous loss, and execution would add further to their suffering." The parole board also said Hill showed genuine remorse for his crime and that the death sentence was not proportionate to punishments for similar crimes where someone killed his mother or father. The parole board stated: "The Board does not consider this offense and offender the 'worst of the worse' as in other death penalty cases."

Hill was described as scheduled to be executed March 3 for killing Emma Hill during a robbery that netted $100. Her surviving brothers and sisters opposed Hill’s execution, as did Emma Hill’s mother. Ohio prison officials said it was the first time an inmate facing death for killing a family member had unanimous backing from his family as he fought execution.

The parole board recommendation was described as the first unanimous decision in favor of clemency since the state resumed executions in 1999. It was also described as the first time the board recommended an alternative sentence of less than life without the possibility of parole.

Gov. Ted Strickland’s office described a review process, and spokeswoman Amanda Wurst said Friday that Strickland would review the case thoroughly before making a decision.

The account also referenced that Strickland commuted the death sentence of condemned killer John Spirko last year out of concern over evidence in the case and the possibility he didn’t commit the murder he was convicted of. Strickland was also described as having allowed four other executions to proceed.

Aftermath

The clemency meant Hill could eventually be paroled, described as parole eligibility after 25 years.

Hill discussed his motivation and remorse in interviews before clemency was granted.