Governor DeWine Issues Reprieve, Postpones Execution

Contact:          Hannah Kubbins, hkubbins@otse.org

GOVERNOR DEWINE ISSUES REPRIEVE, POSTPONES EXECUTION

COLUMBUS, OH—January 25, 2019—Governor Mike DeWine today issued a reprieve to Warren K. “Keith” Henness, who was scheduled to be executed February 13, 2019. Mr. Henness’ execution date was postponed until September 12, 2019.

Attorneys representing Mr. Henness issued a statement saying:

“Today, Governor DeWine granted Warren Keith Henness a reprieve from his February 13 execution date. The evidence presented in the federal court hearing made clear that moving forward under the current lethal injection protocol would subject Mr. Henness to needless pain and suffering, in direct violation of his rights under state law and the state and federal constitutions. We commend Governor DeWine for his leadership and for ensuring the justice system operates humanely in Ohio.”

– David Stebbins, Attorney for Mr. Henness and Supervising Assistant Federal Public Defender, Southern District of Ohio

– January 25, 2019

The Reprieve Order can be accessed here: https://tinyurl.com/y9up9zfn

The first death penalty case handled by the new governor, according to the clemency documents reviewed by the Ohio Parole Board, was riddled with problems including ineffective defense counsel, lingering doubt as to the true role of co-defendants, forensic evidence destroyed by investigators after the trial, and Henness’ exceptionally good prison behavior.

Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan, Jr., chairman of the board of directors of Ohioans to Stop Executions said, “Governor DeWine’s decision is very thoughtful and the right one. Given what is known about the death penalty and how unfairly it is administered, we hope the legislature will now act on reforms that have languished for years.”

“What’s most important for us today is that we keep the families of Richard Myers and Keith Henness in our thoughts and prayers,” Rev. Sullivan said. “Secondarily, the legislature needs to do its job fixing what we know is broken.”

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