Ohio Reschedules Execution of Sean Carter from January 22, 2025, to November 17, 2027

Sean Carter, Ohio

Updated: Friday, January 17, 2025

Sean Carter was scheduled to be executed on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.  Ohio rescheduled his execution to November 17, 2027.  Forty-five-year-old Sean is convicted of murdering his 68-year-old adoptive grandmother Veader Prince in Farmington, Ohio.  For the last 26 years, Sean has been on death row in Ohio.

Sean had a difficult childhood.  His mother was neglectful, abusive, and psychotic.  His father was never involved in his life.  In 1981, Sean was taken from his mother.  He was placed with several families before being adopted by Evely Prince Carter.  Evely lived near her mother, Veader Prince, who was a part of Sean’s life.  For the first few years, Sean did well in school.

In February 1997, Sean was thrown out of Evely’s home and he went to live with his adoptive grandmother.  In July 1997, he was arrested and incarcerated for theft.

Sean Carter was released on September 13, 1997, and returned to Veader’s home where he was discovered napping by Veader’s son, Vernon.  Veader was not home at the time, however, she pulled into the driveway as Vernon prepared to leave.  Vernon asked her about Carter and she denied knowing that he was in the house.  Veader went to confront Carter and when she returned she asked Vernon to give Carter the keys and title to his car so that he could leave.  Vernon complied and left with Carter still in the home.  

Evely Carter received a phone call at work that day that Carter had been released.  Evely stopped by her mother’s house on her way home and discovered that the door was locked.  Veader opened the door and explained that the door was locked to keep Carter out because he was no longer welcome.  

The following day, Veader could not be found.  Eventually, one of her sons found a note on her table that she took Carter to the hospital.  Becoming suspicious, they again searched the house and discovered Veader’s feet sticking out from under a pile of dirty clothes.  They called the police.  Police discovered significant blood stains throughout the house.  Veader had received at least 18 stab wounds, including one that had nicked her aorta, causing her death.  She had also been beaten and raped.  DNA evidence matched Carter.  A “pick-up and hold” order was issued for Carter.

The next day, on September 15, 1997, Carter was discovered sleeping in a car in Beaver County, Pennsylvania.  When Carter was unable to provide valid ID, or registration information for the vehicle he was sleeping in, the police had the car towed and took Carter to the station.  Upon running the VIN, they discovered the car belonged to Vernon Prince.  The police in Pennsylvania called Vernon and discovered that Carter was wanted for murder.  Sheriff detectives from Ohio went to Pennsylvania to pick up Carter.

Carter was read his rights and waived them before making an audio and video confession regarding Veader’s murder.  Carter claimed he returned to Vearder’s house, hoping to convince her to let him stay for one week.  She refused, an argument ensued, and Carter began beating Veader.  Carter stated that he did not remember murdering Veader, only starting the fight and then washing blood off his hands and knife.  He then discovered Veader’s body and attempted to hide it.  He denied raping her.  

Carter was tried, convicted, and sentenced to death.  There have been numerous appeals raised regarding Carter’s mental competency, with some doctors claiming that Carter suffers from hereditary mental illnesses, along with problems stemming from his neglect during his childhood.  In August 2024, a judge found that Carter’s mental competency had deteriorated while in prison, making him ineligible to be executed at this time.  Two years from the judge’s ruling, a full review of Carter’s competency will be conducted.

Pray for the family of Veader Prince.  Pray for strength for the family of Sean Carter.  Please pray that if Sean is innocent, lacks the competency to be executed, or should not be executed for any other reason, evidence will be presented before his execution.  Pray that Sean finds peace through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.