State Rep. Antonio Denounces Ohio’s Appeal for More Death Row Executions

From Ohio House of Representatives: Ohio House Democratic Whip Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) issued the following statement today in response to the State of Ohio’s appeal of U.S. District Court Magistrate Michael Merz’s ruling that indefinitely suspended three planned executions of Ohio inmates.

“It was not that long ago that Dennis McGuire repeatedly gasped for air and fought against his restraints while being executed with an untested drug combination here in Ohio,” said Antonio. “I am troubled by how determined state officials are to continue executions in spite of legal and ethical concerns. Once again, it is clear that capital punishment has no place in our state and country, and we should once and for all abolish the use of the death penalty in the State of Ohio.”

McGuire’s execution contributed to national debate over the use of capital punishment after it reportedly took 26 minutes for McGuire to die once the untested cocktail of drugs was administered.

Antonio has repeatedly introduced legislation to end capital punishment and replace it with life without parole, citing research that shows the death penalty does not deter violent crime and is administered with disparities across economic and racial lines. In the 131st General Assembly, she sponsored Ohio House Bill 289 with Dayton-area Rep. Niraj Antani (R-Miami Township) and plans to reintroduce the bill early in the next General Assembly.

Photo Courtesy of Ohio House of Representatives