3 More Executions Delayed In Ohio By Governor

COLUMBUS, OH — Three more executions have been delayed by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. Officials are still creating new execution protocol after a federal judge ordered a review of the state's execution methods.

DeWine said in a statement that he thinks it's "highly unlikely" the state's new execution protocol is still being developed by the Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections. The protocol would need to be litigated before the execution dates.

"Governor DeWine is also mindful of the emotional trauma experienced by victims’ families, prosecutors, law enforcement, and DRC employees when an execution is prepared for and then rescheduled," the governor's office said in a release.

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The three executions being delayed are:

• Cleveland Jackson
  • Originally scheduled to be executed May 29, 2019.
  • Rescheduled execution: Nov. 13, 2019
• Kareem Jackson
  • Originally scheduled to be executed July 10, 2019
  • Rescheduled execution: Jan. 16, 2020
• Gregory Lott,
  • Originally scheduled to be executed August 14, 2019
  • Rescheduled execution: March 12, 2020

Ohio currently uses a three-drug lethal injection protocol. However, many drug manufacturers are banning the use of their products in executions. Some of the drugs used in Ohio system have also been found to create pain in prisoners.

In late January, DeWine issued a reprieve of execution for Warren Henness following a decision by U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael R. Merz. That decision is being appealed, but it said, in part:

“…we have good evidence that midazolam will cause the ‘waterboarding’ effects of pulmonary edema. If Ohio executes Warren Henness under its present protocol, it will almost certainly subject him to severe pain and needless suffering. Reading the plain language of the Eighth Amendment, that should be enough to constitute cruel and unusual punishment.”

During an Associated Press forum, DeWine was asked about the state's pending executions. "As long as the status quo remains, where we don't have a protocol that has been found to be OK, we certainly cannot have any executions in Ohio," DeWine said, according to Cleveland.com.