Photo Courtesy Of Dr. Oz/ Instagram
Famed TV personality, former surgeon and Republican senate candidate Dr. Oz was recently dragged after his campaign singled out two “wrongfully convicted Black men.”
According to Business Insider, Dr. Oz’s campaign called out two Black staffers–brothers Dennis and Lee Horton–who were convicted of second-degree murder in 1993. Dennis and Lee are currently on the campaign staff of the 62-year-old’s opponent, Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman.
In a Sept. 1 press release, the Oz campaign reportedly referred to John’s two staff members as “convicted murderers.” Dr. Oz himself then followed up their press release with a Twitter post, saying Dennis and Lee “were convicted in the murder and are now paid by [Fetterman’s] campaign.”
“Samuel Alamo was at a bar in Philly that was the site of a horrific shooting. Alamo was shot and killed,” he tweeted on Sept. 1. “Dennis and Lee Horton were convicted in the murder and are now paid by
@JohnFetterman’s campaign.”
Dennis and Lee were previously accused of giving a ride to a friend who killed a man at a Philadelphia bar. They were reportedly unaware that their childhood friend was carrying a gun he had just used. As such, the brothers maintained their innocence and declined plea bargains, which led them to remain in prison for 27 years.
In 2021, their sentences were reportedly commuted when Gov. John advocated for their release. Naturally, he had a lot to say about Dr. Oz’s accusations.
“Going after two campaign staffers is a new low for Dr. Oz,” he said.
He added that the two campaign staffers were “wrongfully convicted” and that fighting for their release “was one of the proudest moments of my career, and I’m honored to have them on this team.”
“Does Dr. Oz believe that the wrongfully convicted should die in prison? Does this man have any compassion? He’s making a predictable and fear-mongering attack against two men who spent 27 years in prison for a crime they didn’t commit,” Gov. John said.
Both Dr. Oz. and the governor are in the race for Pennsylvania Senate.