Ohio moves to ban execution of people with serious mental illnesses

When Ohio reinstituted the death penalty in the late 1990s, both the electric chair - "Old Spark" - and a bed for lethal injection were available in the death chamber at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility outside Lucasville. Now both methods have been ruled out, leaving state lawmakers struggling to come up with an alternative. GARY GARDINER / ASSOCIATED PRESS

When Ohio reinstituted the death penalty in the late 1990s, both the electric chair - "Old Spark" - and a bed for lethal injection were available in the death chamber at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility outside Lucasville. Now both methods have been ruled out, leaving state lawmakers struggling to come up with an alternative. GARY GARDINER / ASSOCIATED PRESS
Local News
By Laura A. Bischoff
Dec 17, 2020
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Ohio lawmakers gave final approval to a measure that will prohibit execution of inmates who suffered from certain serious mental illnesses at the time of the crime.

The House voted in favor of Senate changes to House Bill 136 on Thursday. That is the last legislative hurdle. The bill now heads to Gov. Mike DeWine, who may sign it into law, veto it or allow it to become law without his signature.

The change is one of more than 50 reforms recommended by a task force in 2014 that examined Ohio’s capital punishment system.

ExploreCapital punishment declines across nation, report finds

Ohio adopted its current death penalty statute in 1981. Ohio has 137 men and one woman on death row.

Gallup Poll shows 55% of Americans favor capital punishment while 43% oppose it. In the mid-90s, the same poll showed 80% supported and 16% opposed.

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Laura Bischoff is our Columbus bureau reporter and covers politics and state government. She keeps a close eye on elected leaders, public employees and taxpayer money. Bischoff tries to write stories that inform voters, hold leaders accountable and strengthen democracy.