Faith leaders and concerned citizens with the group Ohioans to Stop Executions (OTSE) gathered outside the Statehouse on Wednesday as Ronald Phillips was being executed. “We’re here because this is a terrible day for Ohio,” said Rev. Gary Witte. “We don’t need the death penalty in Ohio. It makes us all party to a killing.
Statement of Ohioans to Stop Executions on resumption of executions
After more than 3.5 years, Ohio carried out an execution. During the moratorium on executions, Ohio has failed to adopt long-overdue and sensible recommendations made by experts on the Supreme Court Death Penalty Task Force that would ensure fairness and accuracy of the death penalty system.
Ronald Phillips executed at Lucasville
After six postponements, the 43-year-old Summit County man was executed Wednesday for a murder he committed 24 years ago, a week into Bill Clinton’s first term as president. Phillips’ victim was Sheila Marie Evans, the 3-year-old daughter of his then-girlfriend.