COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Gov. Ted Strickland Thursday cleared the way for convicted killer Marvallous Keene to be executed next week.

Keene had been convicted in the deaths of 6 people in December of 1992 in the Dayton area.

He and three accomplices were known as the “thrill killers” because their victims were chosen at random and they were shot for the thrill of watching them die.

After his arrest, Keene confessed and was given the death penalty. The three others received life in prison.

The Ohio Parole Board held a clemency hearing in Columbus on June 25. Family members of the victims packed the hearing room, asking that Keene’s death sentence be carried out.

Later, the board recommended that clemency be denied.

Thursday, the governor agreed with the Parole Board.

In a written statement, Strickland said he and his staff reviewed the record of proceedings and the evidence presented in the case, plus other information that came forward at the clemency hearing.

“Based on this review, I concur with the Parole Board recommendation on this matter,” Strickland said.

Keene had not sought clemency from the Governor and declined an opportunity to speak to the Parole Board.

The move sets the stage for Keene’s execution by lethal injection at 10 am Tuesday.

It will take place at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville.

Jim.otte@whiotv.com