Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine calls for the state to abolish the death penalty
The Facts
- Gov. Mike DeWine said Tuesday that Ohio should abolish the death penalty.
- DeWine is a Republican and his position marks a reversal from his earlier support for capital punishment.
- DeWine helped write or co-sponsored the Ohio death penalty law that reinstated capital punishment roughly 45 years ago.
- DeWine said he no longer believes the death penalty deters murder or violent crime, citing federal and state data.
- As governor, DeWine has repeatedly postponed scheduled executions in Ohio.
- Ohio has not carried out an execution since 2018.
- DeWine said the legislature should repeal the death penalty, or if it does not want to do so, put the question before Ohio voters.
- A repeal effort faces political resistance, with Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman saying he would oppose it and reports indicating legislative action is unlikely.
How left and right are reading this
- Both agree
- A governor who once helped reinstate capital punishment now says the evidence does not support it, while Ohio has already functionally stepped back from executions through repeated postponements and no executions carried out since 2018.
- They split on
- Less a disagreement than a question of emphasis: ending a punishment the state no longer uses and says does not deter crime, versus stressing that any repeal should proceed through the legislature or, failing that, a vote of the people.
Analytical frames for this storyTap to explore
Context
Why did DeWine say he changed his position?
DeWine said he once viewed the death penalty as morally justified because he believed it deterred murder, but now says federal and state data show it does not deter violent crime WV News,NYT,NBC4i.
What has Ohio been doing on executions in recent years?
Ohio has not executed anyone since 2018, and DeWine has repeatedly delayed scheduled executions during his time as governor Yahoo,WV News,UPI.
What happens next?
DeWine said lawmakers should abolish the death penalty or send the issue to voters, but reports say repeal is unlikely because key Republican leaders have opposed it UPI,U.S. News & World R…,WLWT5.
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YahooGOP Gov DeWine urges Ohio to abolish the death penalty, says...
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The New York TimesOhio Governor Says State Should End the Death Penalty, Break...
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seMissourianRepublican Gov. Mike DeWine wants Ohio to abolish the death ...
National Catholic RegisterOhio Governor DeWine Urges State to Abolish Death Penalty, S...
Washington TimesRepublican Gov. Mike DeWine wants Ohio to abolish the death ...
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EWTN NewsGov. DeWine says Ohio should abolish death penalty
UPIOhio Gov. DeWine calls on state to abolish death penalty
YahooOhio Gov. DeWine calls on state to abolish death penalty
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Washington ExaminerMike DeWine calls for abolishing the death penalty
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WFMJGovernor's death penalty stance could affect inmates from th...
AxiosDeWine says Ohio should end executions
YahooGov. Mike DeWine calls for Ohio to abolish the death penalty
Akron Beacon JournalGov. Mike DeWine calls on lawmakers to end Ohio death penalt...
phl17Gov. Mike DeWine calls for Ohio to abolish the death penalty
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The Columbus DispatchWho is on Ohio's death row? See the list as DeWine calls for...
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WOWK 13 HuntingtonGov. DeWine calls for Ohio to abolish the death penalty
YahooDeWine calls Ohio's death penalty an empty threat that must ...
WOUB Public Media'Not a deterrent.' Gov. Mike DeWine asks Ohio lawmakers to a...
Dayton Daily NewsDeWine calls for lawmakers to end death penalty or ask Ohio ...
YahooDeWine says Ohio should abolish the death penalty
The IndependentRepublican governor who wrote Ohio's death penalty law calls...
Ashland Times-GazetteGov. Mike DeWine calls for end to Ohio death penalty
WLWT5Ohio Gov. DeWine seeks to abolish death penalty in the state
CHAT News TodayRepublican Gov. Mike DeWine says Ohio should abolish the dea...
WFMJDeWine calls for abolition of death penalty in Ohio
The Daily RecordGov. Mike DeWine calls for end to Ohio death penalty
Canton RepositoryGov. Mike DeWine calls for end to Ohio death penalty
YahooGov. Mike DeWine calls for end to Ohio death penalty
WKEFDeWine: 'Ohio should abolish the death penalty'
NBC4iGov. Mike DeWine calls for Ohio to abolish the death penalty
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