(Washington, DC)  --  U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-Concord Township) today released the following statement following the unanimous decision by the Ohio Adult Parole Authority to reject the clemency request of cult leader Jeffrey Don Lundgren.

 Lundgren is slated to be executed on October 24th for the murder of Dennis and Cheryl Avery and their three young daughters in April 1989.  LaTourette successfully prosecuted Lundgren and others involved in the heinous Kirtland Cult murders, and said he would like the opportunity to be present at Lundgren’s execution.

 “The Ohio Adult Parole Authority came to exactly the right conclusion, and they were correct to find that Lundgren’s motive for killing the Avery family involved financial gain, an increase in power over the lives of others, and the exploitation and manipulation of the fears and beliefs of others,” LaTourette said.  “This case was never about the Bible.  It was never about Mr. Lundgren somehow getting the Bible wrong.  This was about Mr. Lundgren’s greed and his desire to control others.  Jeffrey Lundgren is a cold-blooded murderer and he deserves the ultimate punishment.”