Man given death penalty in '94 executed

LUCASVILLE, Ohio (WISH) - A Waterloo, Ind. man was executed in Ohio Wednesday. 

A documentary of his story is shown in schools, hospitals, and police departments across the country to teach of the dangers of drugs.

In the documentary, which aired in February 1997, convicted killer Fred Treesh had this request of 24-Hour New 8's Karen Hensel:  "I will personally, on camera, ask you to be at my execution to cover it, because same thing, if it helps one person it is worth it."

Fred Treesh was sentenced to die for the death of a security guard. Treesh and two others from Indiana went on a five-state crime spree to rob and get money for crack cocaine. During a robbery of an adult book store outside of Cleveland, Ohio, Henry Dupree was killed.

Treesh died by lethal injection at 10:37 a.m. Wednesday in Lucasville, Ohio. However, the coverage began in 1994 when hours after getting handed the death penalty Treesh said, "When they are executing me, make a poster or videotape and put it on the national news, because I'm living proof, living proof of what drugs can do to you." 

In the Emmy Award-winning documentary, Treesh never blames the crack cocaine saying, "you could lay crack on the table right now. It's not going to hurt anyone."  The DARE documentary is used by schools, hospitals and police departments across the country to teach kids the dangers of drugs.

FINAL STATEMENT

24-Hour News 8's Karen Hensel was the only television reporter inside of the execution. Treesh made the following final statement:

"I would like to thank Karen Hensel for following up on a job after 20 years. This is where drugs lead you. This is true life. I wanted her to take a picture of the execution. You can't, but I'm sure you can go to the morgue to take a picture. I'm not here to say I'm sorry to any of these victims that are here.  I've never been tried, never been charged with that crime.  I'm here for Henry Dupree and I'm sorry. I'd like to apologize to their family for what I've done.

You want closure? Closure only comes with a book. You close it and put it on a shelf.  There is no closure. Every holiday, every birthday, everything, you will think about the victim.  So, if you want me murdered, just say it.

I'd also like to thank the Major at the Southeastern Ohio Correctional Facility for being such a wonderful person, and the execution team.  They treated me very well. I also want to thank Mike Benza (death penalty attorney) and my best friend James Goff (death row inmate). That's it."

TIMELINE

Tuesday – 10:06 a.m.
Treesh arrives at Death House in Lucasville, Ohio

12:11 p.m. – Lunch

• Two slices of bread
• Hamburger patty
• Orange
• Carrots
• Potatoes
• Salt, pepper, Katsup and one plastic spoon

1:14 p.m. – 3:31 p.m.
Treesh sleeping
Call from his daughter woke him up

4:40 p.m. – 7:29 p.m. – Last visits
Spiritual advisors visit
Refuses to meet with Death Penalty attorneys
Meets with Attorney Mike Benza

8:06 p.m. – Final meal
Steak, two eggs over easy, deep fried mushrooms, onion rings, hash browns, cottage cheese, two hot fudge sundaes, root beer and Coke

7:54 p.m.
Second vein assessment

8:45 p.m. – 11:21 p.m.
Telephone call with death row inmate James Goff

Throughout the night he spoke on the phone with his daughter, mother of his daughter, daughter's stepfather, attorney, and friends.

Wednesday – 6:31 a.m.
Treesh becomes emotional after speaking with his father.

6:31 a.m.
Treesh writing a letter and drinks coffee

6:33 a.m.
Refused to see mental health
Meets with attorney and spiritual advisors

9:54 a.m.
Coroner is in the holding area

9:55 a.m.
Communication lines established with the AG's and the Governor's Office

10:03 a.m.
The execution team is at cell front, door is open, inmate is ordered to stand.
He complies.

10:05 a.m.
Inmate and execution team enter the execution chamber

10:06 a.m.
Execution team has started applying restraints

10:21 a.m.
Last statement

10:37 a.m.
Time of death announced

10:52 a.m.
Body placed in hearse

Treesh's daughter sent the following statement to 24-Hour News 8 on Tuesday:

“What people need to realize is that my Father did not set out to kill anyone. He was supporting $1k day crack-cocaine habit. Drugs like that face good people to do terrible things, things that they can not change, no matter how remorseful they are!!! My Father shot a man because of his addiction. He may be sorry but he can not change it. I personally do not believe that the death penalty is the answer but society does.

I believe everyone makes mistakes in life, but that does not mean that they have to pay for them the rest of their lives. Sometimes good people make bad choices but that doesn't mean that they are bad people!!! I’m glad that the video “Death Row Convictions” with my father’s personal testimony is available. I pray that someone is personally touched and may walk away from there addiction and light a candle on March 6, 2013 for a loved one lost. I know I will. Tomorrow will be the worst day of my life. Yesterday could have been my goodbye for the last time.

Tomorrow will be one of the hardest things I've ever had to face!!!  After being able to talk to my father his last three days was amazing but unable to shove 18 years into phone calls was impossible to do. I couldn't address how sorry I was for my past actions and that I loved him with all my heart. Thankful he was able to give me the tools and advice I needed to have myself to pass on and share with his grand babies.
Passing phone call messages from my dad to give to others was hard but had to be done! Tomorrow my Dad will be free!  My Father is a great man that did a major mistake it was not him who committed the crime it was the crack-cocaine.

I am proud to say I am a recovering drug addict and a daughter of this inmate who is being executed tomorrow and am very remorseful for the other family as well as my family as well. May you sleep with the angels Daddy. Xoxoxoxox I know he will look down on me with Grandma Helen as I walk my sobriety walk!!!! I will Always have my daddy in my heart!!!!!!!!”