Clemency denied for death row inmate Richard Rojem

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board voted on Monday to deny clemency for death row prisoner Richard Norman Rojem by a vote of 5-0. 

According to the Oklahoma AG Gentner's office, Rojem was convicted and sentenced to death for the July 1984 kidnapping, rape and murder of his 7-year-old former stepdaughter, Layla Dawn Cummings, in Washita County.

In response to the Board’s denial of clemency, Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (OK-CADP) made the following statement:

“Putting people to death is not a right of the state. There are cheaper alternatives such as life without parole. Questions are abundant about the capital process when Oklahoma, a tiny state of 4 million people, continues to serially execute more people per capita than other states in the union.   Why?  Are Oklahoman’s more violent?  Unlikely.  This is political theater and has nothing to do with sound jurisprudence.”

Dr. Elizabeth Overman, OK-CADP Vice-Chair

Previously, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said, “The family of Layla Cummings has waited 40 years for justice to be done. Her killer is a real-life monster who deserves the same absence of mercy he showed to the child he savagely murdered. I urge the Pardon and Parole Board to reject the inmate’s absurd request for clemency and ensure justice is done for Layla.”

“I am pleased the Pardon and Parole Board denied clemency for the monster who savagely raped and murdered an innocent child and caused unimaginable suffering for her family. Justice for Layla will be served when he is executed on June 27.”

Attorney General Gentner Drummond

Rojem is scheduled to be executed on Thursday, June 27 for the 1984 murder of 7-year-old Layla Dawn Cummings.