Antonio, Huffman to Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Abolish the Death Penalty in Ohio

Today, Senate Democratic Leader Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) and state Senator Steve Huffman (R-Tipp City) participated in a press conference to announce they will be reintroducing legislation to abolish the death penalty in Ohio, replacing it with a sentence of life without parole for capital crimes.

“It is time for the state of Ohio to take the pragmatic and economically prudent step to abolish the death penalty,” said Antonio. “Capital punishment is impractical, unjust, inhumane, and erroneous. We stand together – progressive Democrats and conservative Republicans – seeking an end to executions in Ohio. The time to improve our flawed justice system is now.”

Ending the death penalty in Ohio has been pursued for decades and is supported by the majority of Ohioans. The punishment has been administered with disparities across racial and economic lines, failed as a deterrent to violent crime, and prolonged the victimization of murder victims’ families and loved ones through lengthy appeals processes. Additionally, a 2014 study found that at least 4.1% of death row inmates are likely innocent.

“I am committed to preserving the dignity of all life until natural death,” said Huffman. “The fiscal and moral challenges associated with capital punishment are also the reason it needs to be abolished in the state of Ohio.”

This version of the bill includes a bipartisan compromise with language that re-states existing law regarding Ohio’s prohibition on state funding of lethal injection drugs.

Watch the full press conference here.