Antonio Commends Governor DeWine on Death Row Commutation in Ohio

Today, Senate Democratic Leader Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) issued the following statement in response to Governor DeWine’s first death row commutation. 

“Once again, we see proof that the death penalty in Ohio is arbitrary, and this commutation by Governor DeWine sheds light on this fact," said Leader Antonio. “I believe justice can be served through a sentence of life without parole, as was the case made here. This is what consistency in leadership looks like.” 

Governor DeWine commuted the life sentence of Gregory Lott, a man with intellectual disabilities who has been on death row for nearly 39 years. Now at 64 years old, he will spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole. This commutation is in alignment with the Supreme Court ruling in the case of Atkins v. Virginia (2002), where it was determined that executing individuals with intellectual disabilities is unconstitutional.