Democratic Whip Antonio Speaks On First Execution In Three Years

From The Ohio House of State Reps: Ohio House Democratic Whip Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) issued the following statement today in response to Ohio carrying out its first execution in over three years:

“As a longtime opponent of capital punishment, I agree with former Attorney Generals Jim Petro and Lee Fisher that our state should not resume executions so long as the ‘serious, systemic problems inherent in Ohio’s capital punishment laws and practices’ remain.

“Although state officials are clearly determined to follow the proposed schedule of twenty-seven executions over the next four years despite legal and ethical concerns, I remain firm in my belief that capital punishment has no place in our state and country, and should be abolished.

“The research still shows that capital punishment fails to deter violent crime and is administered with disparities across economical and racial lines.

“The people of Ohio are better than the convicted murderers on death row, and I believe their taxpayer dollars would be better spent pursuing constructive, positive policies that enhance their quality of life.

“I believe Ohio should replace capital punishment with a life sentence without parole.”

In January, a federal magistrate found Ohio’s new three-drug lethal injection process to be unconstitutional, as it may cause “substantial risk of serious harm.” However, that ruling was later overturned by the full 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Antonio has repeatedly introduced “Death in Prison for Capital Crimes” legislation that would end capital punishment and replace it with a life sentence without parole. The Cleveland-area lawmaker plans to reintroduce the bill in the coming weeks.

Image Courtesy of The Ohio House of State Reps