A family spokesperson says they are hoping for closure after there have been multiple appeals and reprieves for executions in the
TOLEDO, Ohio —
A local family is seeking answers from the governor after two men have received execution reprieves after being found guilty of the kidnapping and murder of 22-year-old Chris Hammer in 1993.
Court records say Archie Dixon and Timothy Hoffner kidnapped and robbed Hammer, and subsequently drove him to a remote area where they buried him alive and left him in a shallow grave to die. The two men stole Hammer’s car to sell it.
“I don’t understand how people can do this kind of stuff,” family spokesperson Deb Kennedy said. “I don’t get it.”
Both men were found guilty of forgery, aggravated robbery, kidnapping and aggravated murder and sentenced to death.
Sept. 22 of this year will mark 32 years since Hammer was murdered. The 22-year-old was known for his positivity.
“Chris was always happy and laughing and smiling,” Kennedy said.
His murderers have been on death row for decades now, and the cases have gone through numerous appeals.
Dixon’s attorneys have argued that police violated his rights and that his confession should have been inadmissible due to police coercion. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit threw out his conviction, but the Supreme Court reinstated the death sentence for Dixon in 2011.
“It’s hard to forgive,” Kennedy said. “It really is. You can forgive, but you can’t forget. It makes you mad when someone hurts your kids.”
Both men were scheduled to be executed in 2024, when Governor DeWine issued reprieves, pushing back both execution dates to 2027. Dixon is scheduled to be executed on June 16, 2027, and Hoffner is now scheduled to be executed on July 14, 2027.
“Every time they get ready to put him to death, the governor pardons them or he puts a stay on it,” Kennedy said.
Kennedy said the family is hoping for some closure. She said she has reached out to the governor’s office multiple times, asking for the men to either just be put in prison for life or some confirmation that they will be executed.
“I’ve emailed him,” Kennedy said. “I’ve put stuff on his Facebook page. I did call him. I never get a response. It makes me mad.”
Kennedy said she just wants some acknowledgement from the governor’s office to hopefully bring the family peace.
WTOL 11 has been in contact with the governor’s office but is still waiting for clarity on what his happening with both men’s executions and if they have a response to the family.
This article was published by Megan Hartnett on 2025-09-01 18:37:00
View Original Post
