Capital punishment’s mysterious wheel of life and death spins on, seemingly at random:

Gov. John Kasich commuted the death sentence today of Joseph Murphy of Marion, who was scheduled for execution Oct. 18.

It was the second time this year Kasich spared the life of a condemned killer.

In a statement, Kasich said the murder of Ruth Predmore was “heinous and disturbing” and Murphy deserves punishment despite his abusive childhood.

He added: “After examining this case in detail with counsel I agree with Chief Justice Moyer, the National Association of Mental Illness and the Parole Board’s unanimous 8-0 decision that considering Joseph Murphy’s brutally abusive upbringing and the relatively young age at which he committed this terrible crime, the death penalty is not appropriate in this case.

Not sure why this seems random to me? Click here. Or here.