© 2025 WOSU Public Media
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Ohio Judge: Condemned Killer Not Competent

An Ohio judge has ruled a condemned killer not mentally competent to be executed for the death of his wife and brother-in-law. The ruling Friday by Cuyahoga County Judge Stuart Friedman on Abdul Awkal comes just a week after Gov. John Kasich ordered a last-minute reprieve hours before Awkal was set to die. Awkal is convicted of killing his estranged wife and brother-in-law in a Cleveland courthouse in 1992 as the couple prepared to divorce. Awkal's attorneys had argued during several days of testimony that he is so mentally ill he believes the CIA is orchestrating his execution. The Ohio Parole Board voted 8-1 last month against recommending mercy. Most members concluded Awkal had planned the shooting and it wasn't because of a psychotic breakdown. Cuyahoga County prosecutor Bill Mason says he'll appeal the ruling.