On Monday, the Pardon and Parole Board will hear a plea for clemency from a convicted killer who is slated for execution later this month.
The legal team representing Rojem is anticipated to present an argument for clemency based on the assertion that he is innocent of the murder.
According to Mindy Cummings, the mother of the girl who passed away, her life has been comparable to “holding onto a rope in a hurricane” ever since her daughter’s tragic death.
Mindy Cummings expressed her sorrowful sentiment, stating that she couldn’t keep track of her late daughter’s age. Each passing year is insignificant to her, as her daughter’s potential was taken away from her in a single night. She never had the chance to grow beyond the age of seven. As a result, her daughter will forever be remembered as the precious 7-year-old she was and will remain in their hearts forever.
In 1984, Mindy Cummings obtained a restraining order against Rojem and went through with a divorce before her daughter’s untimely death.
Rojem had served in the Air Force prior to meeting Mindy Cummings.
Records indicate that the individual in question had several disciplinary issues and ultimately received an administrative discharge. During their time in the service, they underwent evaluation and were diagnosed with a personality disorder featuring “dissocial characteristics.” Additionally, they were noted to exhibit a lack of thoughtful and adaptively organized behavior and had a history of distorting the truth.
Records indicate that during the first week of July in 1984, the Cummings family resided in an apartment located in Elk City. One night, when Mindy Cummings was working the night shift at McDonald’s, she asked a friend to watch over her apartment, where her daughter and son were sleeping.
Later that day, Layla Cummings’ body was discovered by a farmer.
Rojem received the death penalty from three separate juries.
The Board has been requested by Attorney General Gentner Drummond to deny Rojem’s appeal for clemency.
In a statement, Drummond expressed that Layla Cummings’ family has been waiting for justice for 40 years. He described her killer as a real-life monster who should receive the same lack of mercy he gave to Layla when he brutally ended her life. Drummond urged the Pardon and Parole Board to deny the inmate’s request for clemency, which he deemed absurd, and to ensure that justice is served for Layla.
Jack Fisher, the attorney representing Rojem, refused to grant an interview upon request.
Rojem’s team contends his innocence in their plea for clemency.
According to Rojem’s clemency packet, his lawyers are anticipated to argue that the DNA discovered under Layla Cummings’ fingernails did not belong to him, and that there was no presence of DNA in his vehicle. Additionally, the dirt found on Rojem’s tires was not consistent with the soil found in the field where Layla Cummings’ remains were discovered.
In his clemency packet, it is stated that the defense team is anticipated to contest the reliability of fingerprint evidence and raise suspicions about the condom wrappings discovered near Layla Cummings’ body. This is due to the fact that the medical examiner’s report concluded that there was no evidence of rape or murder in the field.
In his clemency packet, Mr. Rojem and his counsel humbly request this board to recommend clemency for Rick Rojem, a man who they believe is innocent. They fervently plead for his death sentence to be commuted to life imprisonment or life without parole. The ultimate goal is to allow Mr. Rojem to pursue his claim of actual innocence in a different forum.
The Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester is where Rojem is scheduled to be executed.
The decision to recommend clemency to Gov. Kevin Stitt will be voted on by the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board. Ultimately, the final decision lies in the hands of the governor.