Five years feels like a significant chunk of time. For instance, it feels significant (and hopeful) that it is five years since Ohio last carried out an execution.

Similarly, it feels significant that today marks exactly five years since Jeffrey Wogenstahl received a favorable decision from a federal court. The Sixth Circuit Court suggested that if Jeff’s jury had known about all the evidence now available, no reasonable juror would have found him guilty of killing Amber Garrett.

For Jeff, the five year period since then has not been easy. The court decision backed up what he has been saying all along – that he is innocent. Yet, for him, that decision changed nothing. He has had to remain on death row, surviving mentally and physically as best he can, just as he did for the 25 years prior to the decision. It is for a judge in a different court to decide what happens next, and for that Jeff must wait.

Along with the other death row prisoners, Jeff has recently been given a tablet with which he can communicate with the outside world. He would love to have online chats with people. Could you spare some time to do that? It would make so much difference to his wellbeing if you could.

As Jeff says,
“I’ve been sitting on Death Row for 30 years rotting away, not knowing what my outcome will be. I’ve been locked away since 1993, so all this modern technology is amazing to me. From what I see on TV people spend a lot of time on their phones. So while you’re on it, how about contacting me? Just looking for conversation about whatever you’d like.

You do have to sign up and pay a small amount in order to contact me directly, but it’s simple enough. Download the GettingOut prison messaging app. My information to register is:
USA
Ohio

ODRC CCI (Chillicothe Correctional Institution)
Jeffrey Wogenstahl A269357
Thank you.”

Whether you live in the USA or elsewhere, your contact would be so very welcome – and the more people Jeff hears from, the merrier!

We would be very grateful if you could share Jeff’s request with your social media contacts. Thank you all so very much!