The death penalty could be abolished in Ohio under upcoming bipartisan legislation announced Tuesday — the latest in what has been years of effort to end capital punishment in the state.
State senators from both sides of the aisle called for an end to the practice, citing the financial blow to taxpayers to keep an inmate on death row, the lack of lethal injection drugs that has led to an unofficial moratorium on executions in the state, the danger of executing an innocent person and questions over a state's right to end a life.
The proposal is far from new. Antonio and GOP Sen. Steve Huffman of Tipp City introduced the measure last session. It failed to get any traction, as it has for several legislative sessions despite support from some of the majority Republicans. First-term Republican Sen. Michelle Reynolds said she backs the measure because she is “pro-life” and believes human life should not be used as a bargaining chip.It's not clear where legislative leadership could take the bill. GOP Senate President Matt Huffman — Steve Huffman's cousin — supports the death penalty, though he previously said he's open to debate and discussion on the topic. Republican House Speaker Jason Stephens also said he was open to further debate in Legislature.
The state’s last execution was July 18, 2018, when Ohio put to death Robert Van Hook for killing David Self in Cincinnati in 1985. Ohio currently has 134 people on death row, according to the nonprofit Death Penalty Information Center.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ohio man pleads not guilty in death of fiancee who went missing nearly 12 years agoSkeletal remains identified as hers were found in 2013 in a wooded area in Cedar Grove, Indiana, about 20 miles west of her home. Authorities ruled her death a homicide.
Read more »
Katelyn Markham's fiance arrested for her murder more than a decade laterHAMILTON, Ohio — More than a decade after an Ohio woman disappeared, her then-fiance has been arrested in connection with her death.
Read more »
Cleveland Browns to sign Ohio native to free-agent deal, reports sayThe Cleveland Browns are expected to sign offensive guard Wes Martin to a free-agent deal, according to ESPN Analyst Jeremy Fowler.
Read more »
GOP states press voter photo ID rules, with unclear effectsBy JULIE CARR SMYTH (Associated Press) COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — As Ohio’s primary approaches, a strict new photo ID requirement is stirring concerns for military veterans and out-of-state …
Read more »