In 1981, Ohio reintroduced the death penalty as the ultimate punishment for what the law called “the worst of the worst” offenders. However, today’s application of the death penalty has departed so far from the intent of the 1981 law that its own author, Ohio Supreme Court Justice Paul Pfeifer, now calls for its repeal.
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Discussion Over Death Penalty Task Force on WOSU – All Sides With Ann Fisher
Under current Ohio law, aggravated burglary and kidnapping are potentially punishable by death. Ohio’s Death Penalty Task Force has spent two years reviewing the state’s capital punishment regulations, and it recently published recommendations based on its findings.
Panel Advises Slashing List of Capital Offenses: Report Also Urges Exempting Mentally Ill
The ultimate punishment under Ohio law would be reserved for the “worst of the worst,” and mentally ill people could not be executed if recommendations from a state task force become law.