Credit: WIKIPEDIA
The state of Ohio executed convicted murderer Ronald Phillips this morning, ending a three-year hiatus on the death penalty. According to media witnesses, there were no complications (like the sputtering and gasping that has accompanied other recent executions).

The execution took place at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville. Phillips was pronounced dead at 10:43 a.m.

Phillips and other inmates have been challenging the state’s method of execution, primarily its use of the sedative midazolam. They have sought stays in order to continue their legal fight (Phillips applied for a stay this week, which was rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court this morning), and they have repeatedly argued that Ohio is pursuing an unconstitutional protocol. Federal courts have disagreed.

By all accounts, Ohio will continue on with its calendar of executions. Convicted killer Gary Otte is scheduled to die in September.

This article appears in Jul 26 – Aug 1, 2017.

Eric Sandy is an award-winning Cleveland-based journalist. For a while, he was the managing editor of Scene. He now contributes jam band features every now and then.

2 replies on “Ohio Resumes State Executions Without ‘Complications’”

  1. Bravo to OH. Now if California courts would just get off their ass and start cleaning out the 750+ in San Quentin, we’d be that far ahead of reducing “prison overcrowding,” instead of early release for all the violent felons they’re doing.

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