COLUMBUS — Ohio’s Republican attorney general is backing a legislative effort that would bring nitrogen gas executions to the state to end a yearslong unofficial moratorium on the death penalty.
The state joins a growing list considering nitrogen gas use for executions.
Attorney General Dave Yost made remarks in a news conference Tuesday about a bill sponsored by Republican state Reps. Brian Stewart, of Ashville, and Phil Plummer, of Dayton.
“There must be accountability for offenders convicted of the most heinous crimes and prisoners who continue to flout the law behind bars. The pursuit of justice is a journey, and closure remains elusive for victims’ families until a sentence is fully executed. Ensuring that the consequences align with the severity of an offense is essential to providing solace to grieving relatives,” he said.
The bill would require that the nitrogen hypoxia method pioneered in Alabama Thursday be used in cases where lethal injection drugs are not available.
Ohio’s last execution was in 2018. Republican Gov. Mike DeWine has since paused the process, due to court rulings and unavailability of the necessary drugs.
DeWine’s spokesman, Dan Tierney, said the governor typically does not comment on pending legislation.
Ohio has 118 men and one woman on death row, according to the most recent state report.