Published: Saturday, December 9, 2006
Victim's sister: 'It's time for justice to be served'
A victims' advocate says there should be no doubt about Biros' guilt.
By ED RUNYAN
WARREN — Family members of murder victim Tami Engstrom of Hubbard urged the public to write to Gov.-elect Ted Strickland and others in the days before the planned Jan. 23 execution of Kenneth Biros to urge them to carry out Biros' punishment.
"It's time for justice to be served," Debi Heiss said from inside the Trumbull County Courthouse. "Kenneth Biros beat, tortured, sexually assaulted, mutilated, dismembered and robbed Tami with no remorse. He has been given more humanity and mercy from the state than my sister ever had."
She asked the community to write to Strickland, Ohio Attorney General-elect Marc Dann of Liberty and parole board members and tell them not to grant clemency or have Biros' sentence reduced to life in prison.
"We cannot have any more delays. Our family has been through enough pain and devastation over the past 16 years. This is a case that has Kenneth Biros' own admission of guilt while he testified on the witness stand," Heiss said as she stood with her mother, MaryJane Heiss, and her brother, Tom Heiss.
Strickland's background
Miriam Fife, mother of murder victim Raymond Fife and a victims' advocate, attended the press conference with the three and said one reason for speaking with reporters is that recent press reports have indicated that Strickland, a former prison psychologist who takes office Jan. 8, has questioned the fairness of the death penalty.
Strickland has said his concerns come from cases around the country in which scientific evidence has exonerated inmates after long stays on death row.
Fife said no such reservations should be present in the Biros case because his guilt is beyond dispute.
Engstrom's family, from Hubbard, spent part of the day meeting with officials from the attorney general's office, county prosecutor's office and the Victim Division of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction learning about the process and events leading up to an execution.
Biros, of Brookfield, was convicted in 1991 of killing Engstrom.
Letters should be addressed to:
Strickland, 77 S. High St., 30th Floor, Columbus 43215.
Dann, 30 E. Broad St., 17th Floor, Columbus 43215.
Ohio Department of Corrections Office of Victim Services, 1050 Freeway Drive, Columbus 43229.
Address letters to parole board members, regarding Kenneth Biros, inmate number A249514.
runyan@vindy.com
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