The mother of the murdered 4-year-old girl called for the immediate release of a prisoner in death row in Pennsylvania, who was convicted for the murder of her daughter.
Walter Ogrod has spent almost 28 years behind bars for killing 4-year-old Barbara Jean horn in 1988.
Earlier this year, the Division of integrity district attorney’s office of Philadelphia filed a petition for the abolition of the death penalty and the release of Ograda after determining its «probable innocence», citing unreliable evidence, false testimony and alleged misconduct by police and prosecutors.
But because of the pandemic coronavirus hearing on Ogrodu, originally scheduled for March 27 was postponed until June 5.
Last month, lawyers for Ograda filed an emergency petition in an attempt to transfer him from state prison to the hospital after he showed symptoms of the coronavirus.
Despite the ruling, according to which Ogrod had to be rushed to the hospital for testing and treatment, the Department of corrections of Pennsylvania (DOC) refused to obey.
Now lawyers Ogrodu filed an amended petition, which was supported by Sharon Fahey, mother of the murdered girl, who said in written testimony that «she has no doubt that Mr. Ogrod innocent, and that he shall be immediately released from prison.»
She added: «I’m sad and angry, when 32 years later learned that was seized key evidence. This evidence likely would not have allowed Mr. Ogrodu to be on death row. My daughter is never coming home, but I wanted justice for her, and not just closed the case with an innocent man in prison. The knowledge that an innocent may die in prison, will only increase the pain suffered by the family of Barbara Jean.»
According to his attorneys, the 55-year-old Ogrod feeling ill since the second week of March. Lawyers told Newsweek that his temperature is now asleep, but he still has some symptoms, including cough.
Representative DOC refused to provide detailed information on the case of Ograda, citing confidentiality.
«According to the law on control and prevention of diseases we can not discuss or publish specific information relating to test inmates or staff», — noted in Department.
