Ohio Bill Offers Inmates Choice Between Lethal Injection and Nitrogen Gas
Ohio’s Republican Attorney General, Dave Yost, is throwing his support behind a legislative effort to introduce nitrogen gas executions in the state. The proposed Ohio bill would give condemned inmates a choice between lethal injection and nitrogen gas, with nitrogen gas being mandated if lethal injection drugs are unavailable.
Concerns About Pain and Suffering Led to Hiatus in Executions
Ohio has not executed anyone since 2018, as Governor Mike DeWine ruled out lethal injection due to concerns about pain and suffering. DeWine’s decision came after a federal judge’s ruling that the protocol could cause inmates “severe pain and needless suffering.”
Nitrogen Gas Method Gains Attention
The Ohio bill, supported by Attorney General Yost, would require nitrogen gas to be used if lethal injection drugs are not available. Yost previously expressed support for the nitrogen gas method, which was recently used for the first time in Alabama. Nitrogen gas was administered to convicted murderer Kenneth Eugene Smith through a face mask to deprive him of oxygen.
Debate Over Humaneness of Nitrogen Gas Executions
While state officials in Alabama described the nitrogen gas execution as humane and effective, critics have called it cruel and experimental. The execution of Smith lasted about 22 minutes, during which he appeared conscious and exhibited signs of distress.
Availability of Nitrogen Gas
Yost believes that nitrogen gas is widely available commercially, making it a viable alternative to lethal injection drugs. He expressed confidence that the state would be able to obtain the necessary amount of nitrogen gas if the method is implemented in Ohio.
Challenges in Carrying Out Executions in Ohio
Ohio’s last execution took place in July 2018, and since then, the state has faced difficulties in obtaining the chemicals necessary for lethal injection. Both political parties have introduced bills over the years to eliminate the death penalty in the state. Governor DeWine, who helped write Ohio’s current law on the death penalty, has not explicitly supported or opposed its repeal but has questioned its value due to the lengthy delays between crime and punishment.
The Future of Ohio’s Death Penalty
Ohio currently has 118 men and one woman on death row, according to the most recent state report. It remains to be seen whether the Ohio bill proposing nitrogen gas executions will gain enough support to become law, as debates about the humaneness of the method and the effectiveness of alternative options continue.