Taft grants Spirko 5th reprieve

Petro asked for the delay at the request of Spirko's attorneys, who say they can't finish the testing before the scheduled execution date.

Additional testing is being done on a tarp that held the body of slain postmistress Betty Jane Mottinger and two rags found in a field nearby.

Spirko, 60, who says he is innocent, was convicted based on witness statements and his own comments to investigators.

No physical evidence ties him to the killing and charges against a co-defendant who linked him to the murder have been dropped.

Courts at all levels have previously upheld his conviction and death sentence.

Attorney General Jim Petro had previously asked Gov. Bob Taft for a fifth reprieve for the condemned killer to allow more time for DNA testing

Taft's decision likely means that whoever is elected governor next month will decide Spirko's fate.

Spirko, 60, has already received far more reprieves than any other inmate since Ohio resumed executions in 1999.

Spirko's execution was scheduled to take place Nov. 29.

Taft last delayed the execution in June to allow additional time for DNA testing. He had previously allowed a delay of six months and two delays of 60 days each.

Previously, Spirko has asked Petro for DNA testing on hair found on duct tape wrapped around the tarp in which Mottinger's body was found. In March, he also requested testing on additional evidence, including 30 to 100 cigarette butts recovered from the Elgin post office, where Mottinger was kidnapped.

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