American Bar Association calls for Ohio to cease executions until it fixes problemsOhio should immediately stop carrying out executions until it fixes problems to ensure the state imposes the death penalty fairly and equitably, an American Bar Association study committee urged this morning.
“Despite the best efforts of a multitude of principled and thoughtful actors who play roles in the criminal justice system in the state of Ohio, our research established that at this point and time, the state of Ohio cannot ensure that fairness and accuracy are the hallmark of every case in which the death penalty is sought or imposed,’’ reads the study to be released this morning by the ABA’s Ohio Death Penalty Assessment Team.
The team includes law professors, defense attorneys, former prosecutors, judges, U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D., Cleveland), former Ohio Supreme Court Justice Craig Wright, and a state representative who has unsuccessfully championed legislation for such a study, Sen. Shirley Smith (D., Cleveland).
Prosecuting Attorneys in Ohio are complaining that they weren't on panel.