Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has announced that he believes the death penalty should be abolished in the state, citing a lack of evidence that it deters violent crime. DeWine, a Republican, made the statement during a news conference, saying that federal and state data indicates the death penalty does not effectively prevent murder.

DeWine’s Change of Heart

DeWine’s support for the death penalty has shifted over the course of his political career. As a state legislator 45 years ago, he helped write the law that reinstated capital punishment in Ohio. However, he has since come to question the effectiveness of the death penalty as a deterrent.

DeWine has repeatedly postponed scheduled executions in the state, citing concerns over the availability of lethal injection drugs. He has also expressed skepticism about the value of the death penalty, saying that he no longer believes it is an effective way to prevent crime.

Other States Rethink the Death Penalty

Ohio is not the only state to reconsider the death penalty. New Hampshire, Colorado, and Virginia have all abolished the death penalty in recent years, and other states are considering similar measures. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has urged lawmakers to abolish the death penalty, and Oregon Governor Kate Brown commuted the sentences of all 17 people on the state’s death row in 2022.

Despite DeWine’s call for abolition, it is unclear whether the Ohio legislature will take action. Republican House Speaker Matt Huffman has said that he will vigorously oppose any effort to abolish the death penalty, and it is likely that the issue will be contentious in the state capitol.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.