Ohioans to Stop Executions executive director, Kevin Werner, issued the following statement on the botched execution in Tennessee:
“For the second time this year a Tennessee botched execution has given Ohio the clearest example why we should not be in the business of executing people.
Fortunately for Ohio, we have a governor who recognizes the toll executions take on the victims’ families and on corrections staff and has refused to allow lethal injections while governor.
What happened yesterday in Tennessee was predictable and avoidable–it happened here. We should not continue to harm victim families and corrections staff like in Tennessee. It’s time for Ohio to end its death penalty and the legislature needs to act.”
Background:
Under previous administrations, Ohio had its share of problems in the execution chamber. In 2005 during the execution of Joseph Clark, the prisoner sat up and said the injection didn’t work. He asked to be given something by mouth instead.
In 2009 the execution attempt of Romell Broom was called off after more than 2 hours of difficulty establishing an IV line. Mr. Broom attempted to aid the staff locating suitable veins. Then-Governor Strickland called off the execution and Broom was returned to death row. He later died in 2020, most likely from Covid-19.
In 2014 the execution of Dennis McGuire led to more litigation after he gasped and choked over the course of 26-minutes during his execution.
In 2018 Ohio was unable to execute Alva Campbell, a prisoner with lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, respiratory failure, prostate cancer, and severe pneumonia; he relied on a colostomy bag, needed oxygen treatments four times a day, and required a walker for even limited mobility. Campbell was given a wedge-shaped pillow so he could be propped up during his execution. The execution was called off after several failed attempts to access veins. Campbell died in 2025 before a second execution attempt was made.
Ohio’s next governor will enter office with 29 executions scheduled beginning in April 2027 through November 2029.
Ohioans to Stop Executions (OTSE) is the only single issue death penalty repeal organization in Ohio. OTSE represents millions of Ohioans who oppose the death penalty, and we are the lead organization in the #NoDeathPenaltyOH campaign to abolish Ohio’s capital punishment system. For more information go to https://otse.org/ .