20 December 2012 :

Republican Gov. John Kasich granted clemency to Ronald Post following the recommendation of mercy by the state parole board, which said it didn't doubt Post's guilt but said there were too many problems with how he was represented 30 years ago. The governor said all criminal defendants, regardless of the heinousness of the crimes, deserve an adequate defense. "This decision should not be viewed by anyone as diminishing this awful crime or the pain it has caused," Kasich said. Post was scheduled to die Jan. 16 for killing Elyria motel clerk Helen Vantz in a 1983 robbery.