USA - Ohio. Gov. John Kasich officially rejected clemency for Billy Slagle, 44, White, despite a prosecutor's rare plea to commute his sentence

Gov. John Kasich officially rejected clemency for Billy Slagle, 44, White, despite a prosecutor's rare plea to commute his sentence to life without parole. Kasich announced his decision not to grant mercy to Slagle, who was convicted of stabbing Mari Anne Pope 17 times during a burglary on Aug. 13, 1987. Attorneys for Slagle have long argued that he deserves clemency because he was just 18 at the time of the stabbing, and was a drug addict and alcoholic with a chaotic upbringing. Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Tim McGinty -- who has recently spoken out against capital punishment -- previously said he doubts Slagle would receive the death penalty if he were tried under the justice system today. Friends and family of victim Mari Anne Pope said sparing Slagle would have dishonored the jury's sentence.