Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine calls for abolition of death penalty, citing lack of deterrent effect and execution delays
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is calling for the state to abolish the death penalty, saying it no longer serves as a deterrent to violent crime and acknowledging a major shift in his long-held position on capital punishment.
Speaking at a news conference, DeWine said his decades of experience in law enforcement and government have led him to conclude that the system is not achieving its intended purpose. “I do not believe that argument today can be successfully made,” he said, referring to the idea that executions deter crime. “Therefore, I believe Ohio should abolish the death penalty.”
DeWine noted that he has repeatedly delayed scheduled executions during his time in office and pointed to what he described as long delays in the appeals process, declining death sentences, and cases in which inmates die of natural causes or suicide before their execution dates. He said the trend shows the likelihood of execution has become increasingly remote over time.
He also raised concerns about the broader impact of capital punishment, saying it inflicts prolonged emotional harm on victims’ families and takes a toll on state employees involved in executions. According to DeWine, the system continues to exist in theory, but in practice is rarely carried out as intended.
The governor, who previously helped write Ohio’s modern death penalty law as a state legislator decades ago, said his views have evolved after 50 years in public service, including roles as a prosecutor, congressman, senator, and attorney general. He said his opposition has crystallized only in recent years.
DeWine’s comments come as Ohio continues to maintain an unofficial pause on executions. He has cited ongoing difficulties obtaining lethal injection drugs from pharmaceutical suppliers as a major factor in repeated postponements. As a result, dozens of executions remain scheduled in the coming years, even as none have been carried out since 2018.
He also pointed to a broader national trend, noting that several other states have moved to abolish or halt capital punishment in recent years, while others have limited or paused its use through executive action or legislation.
Despite the governor’s position, major changes to Ohio’s death penalty law are unlikely without legislative support. Republican leaders in the state have previously expressed strong opposition to repeal efforts, and no consensus has emerged on alternative execution methods or reforms.
Ohio reinstated capital punishment in 1981, though executions did not resume until 1999. Since then, dozens of inmates have been put to death, but the practice has slowed significantly in recent years amid legal and logistical challenges.
DeWine said that based on current data and experience, the death penalty is unlikely to function differently in the future than it has in recent years.
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