Ohio Reschedules Execution of John Stojetz from March 14, 2024, to April 25, 1996

Updated: Friday, March 15, 2024

John Stojetz was scheduled to be executed on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at the Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville, Ohio. His execution has been rescheduled to May 19, 2027. Sixty-eight-year-old John is convicted of murdering 17-year-old Damico Watkins on April 25, 1996, at the Madison Correctional Institution in Ohio. For the last 26 years, John has resided on Ohio’s death row.

John Stojetz was serving time at the Madison Correctional Institution, where he was the head of the “Aryan Brotherhood” gang within the prison. Several juvenile offenders who were going to be tried as adults were also being held at the prison, albeit, in a separate area.

On April 25, 1996, Stojetz and five adult inmates entered the unit where the juvenile prisoners were being held, armed with “shanks.” Using their shanks they forced the correctional officer at the desk to give them the keys to enter cell doors. Once the officer handed over the keys, he was allowed to leave. He immediately alerted others as to what was going on.

Meanwhile, Stojetz and the other men entered the juvenile prison and proceeded to the cell of Damico Watkins. They unlocked the door, entered the cell, and began attacking Damico. Damico managed to escape, however Stojetz and the others gave chase. Eventually, Damico was cornered. He pleaded for his life, however, Stojetz and another inmate stabbed him repeatedly and left him for dead.

Correctional Officers regained control of the prison and the inmates handed over their shanks and surrendered. During conversations with the officers, it was revealed that Damico was targeted because he was black and the prisoners did not want to share a cell with a black inmate. Damico died from his injuries before he could receive treatment.

Although Stojetz pleaded not guilty, a jury found him guilty and sentenced him to death.

John Stojetz’s execution has been stayed by Governor Mike DeWine due to ongoing problems obtaining execution drugs in Ohio. Over the past several years, Ohio has struggled to obtain execution drugs and establish a satisfactory execution protocol More information regarding Ohio’s execution problems can be found here.  

Pray for the family of Damico Watkins. Pray for strength for the family of John Stojetz. Please pray that if John is innocent, lacks the competency to be executed, or should not be executed for any reason that evidence will be provided. Pray that John may come to find peace through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.