By Okon Ekpenyong

The Ohio Black Legislative Caucus members have been actively advocating to address and end capital punishment. They are shedding light on high-profile death penalty cases and the injustice that often leads to many incarcerated individuals not receiving a fair trial in the state.

A prime example is the case involving Kevin Keith, who is serving time for triple murder back in 1994. His brother, Charles, emphasized that the caucus is making significant strides in addressing the injustice prevalent in numerous previous capital punishment cases where the individual may not have been guilty.

OBLC is urging the House of Representatives and state Senate to pass bills that would repeal death penalty laws. These lawmakers want to prioritize improving rehabilitation over punishment and creating a system where every American receives a fair trial. The goal is not to overlook victims of horrific crimes but to allocate more resources to preventing innocent individuals from receiving the death penalty, especially those who did not commit a crime.

In 1994, Kevin Keith received a guilty verdict for a triple-double murder, a case that garnered national attention due to its controversial circumstances. Kevin consistently maintains his innocence. However, he was sentenced to death by lethal injection. However, in 2010, his death penalty ruling was commuted to life imprisonment by then-Governor Ted Strickland, who stated that there was a lack of proper evidence and a failure to interview other eyewitnesses and other suspects.

TV star Kim Kardashian, who has been advocating for criminal justice reform, hosted a podcast in 2022 called “The System: The Case of Kevin Keith,” drawing attention to the case. Per Charles, DNA was not used in this case; it was only the testimony of eyewitnesses. There was no presentation of new evidence, and presently, Kevin remains incarcerated. His case continues to stimulate discourse and draw attention to critical issues within the criminal justice system.

Charles, drawing from his psychology studies in college, says he gained a deeper understanding of the mental toll it takes to prove an individual’s innocence, like his brother. “I’ve witnessed the power dynamics at play, referring to the systemic injustice in the American legal system.” In this context, social media emerges as a potent tool, empowering individuals to raise awareness about capital punishment and wrongful convictions.

Members of the Death Penalty Action, who were present at the briefing, are part of a coalition working to stop executions and abolish the death penalty through advocacy, education, and action. They told New Americans magazine that such an initiative is necessary to help increase awareness of the matter.

Furthermore, members of the Black Caucus noted that the death penalty has become a prominent topic in our country as more people are conducting research and asking more questions to address the disparity in the justice system. “Previously, nobody wanted to talk about it because some did not have the means to look into but organizations like the Innocence Project continue to bring such cases to light,” Charles said.

“I tell people that Ohio State didn’t educate me; the state of Ohio educated did because I got a chance to look into all of the components of high-profile cases like my brother’s own. And it was an eye-opener,” said Charles.

According to a recent report, Ohio currently has 119 inmates on death row. The Ohio Black Legislative Caucus members are pushing for changes in various aspects of the criminal justice system, including sentencing procedures, jury selections, incarceration rates, convictions, and housing. The state’s most recent execution took place in 2018. Lawmakers have introduced House Bill 259 and Senate Bill 101 to abolish capital punishment in Ohio. Although both bills have been discussed in committee hearings, there has been no voting in the House due to opposition from Republicans.

Governor DeWine has put a halt to the process due to the state’s inability to obtain the necessary drugs for lethal injection. Lawmakers from other states have supported using nitrogen hypoxia as an alternative method. Attorney General Dave Yost is in favor of House Bill 392, which seeks to permit the use of nitrogen hypoxia, arguing that it will help maintain the capital punishment system in Ohio, particularly for those who have been convicted of heinous crimes. Governor DeWine has not yet signed House Bill 392.

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