By A wave of positive reactions followed Governor Mike DeWine’s death penalty announcement including from Jon Mann, son of Jonathan Mann, murdered by an Ohio death row inmate, saying “I’m glad to hear the governor has also changed his position, and I hope it ultimately leads to the end of Ohio’s death penalty.”
Statement by Kevin Werner, Executive Director, Ohioans to Stop Executions:
“Governor DeWine’s evolution on the death penalty is exactly what we’ve seen in communities across Ohio from MAGA Republicans, Democrats and Independents. Nobody supports a system that harms victim families, convicts innocent people and wastes millions of dollars without a shred of improved public safety.”
Statement by Laura Porter, Executive Director, U.S. Campaign to End the Death Penalty:
“The Governor’s change of position on the death penalty is part of a trend of Republicans across Ohio and nationwide questioning the death penalty. Fewer than half of Americans ages 18-54 support the death penalty because it is a broken policy that is not worth holding onto.”
Statement by Gary Mohr, former Director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, who oversaw 15 executions in Ohio:
“Like Governor DeWine, my feelings about the death penalty have changed over the years in my career in corrections. It’s difficult to overstate just how much the execution process impacts everyone involved, and I hope Ohio continues to move away from the death penalty.”
Statement by Rep. Adam Mathews (R), District 56
“There are a number of Republicans in Ohio who are rightfully questioning the death penalty. We are consistently pro-life and against big government programs that fail to deliver on their promises.”
Statement by Rep. Jean Schmidt (R), District 62
“For many years, I was a proponent of the death penalty. My views changed because of the risks of executing an innocent person, the exorbitant costs, and my belief in the sanctity of life. The death penalty is no longer a policy worth preserving.”
Statement by Sen. Stephen Huffman (R), District 5
“Like the Governor, the more I learned about the death penalty over the years, the more I questioned it. Currently, I cannot reconcile my pro-life views with a costly, flawed death penalty process.”
Statement by Rep. Ron Ferguson (R), District 96
“I’m glad that the Governor has recognized the death penalty in Ohio is a bloated, expensive, failed policy. Wrongful convictions occur and executions can’t be undone. It has not succeeded and it should end.”
Statement by former Sen. Peggy Lehner (R), Kettering
“Pope Leo’s recent statements about the death penalty reminded me that we value life here in Ohio. The death penalty is contrary to upholding the dignity of each person.”
Statement by Jon Mann, son of Jonathan Mann, murdered by an Ohio death row inmate:
“I used to support the death penalty, but after my father was murdered, I found out just how much the policy harms co-victims like me. I’m glad to hear the governor has also changed his position, and I hope it ultimately leads to the end of Ohio’s death penalty.”
Statement by Jim Petro, former Ohio Auditor and Attorney General
“As a conservative and someone who has seen the system up close, I know the flaws of the death penalty and the wrongful convictions it produces. Governor DeWine is right to conclude he no longer supports the death penalty.”
Statement by Governor Bob Taft, 67th Governor of Ohio
“Governor DeWine has been thoughtful and given this issue the careful consideration it needs. As a former governor, I know what it’s like to contend with this issue and I support his decision. The legislature taking up the issue and passing repeal this year is in the best interest of the people of Ohio.”
Statement by Mark Godsey, Co-Founder & Director, Ohio Innocence Project
“Twelve men have been exonerated from Ohio’s death row after evidence of their wrongful convictions was discovered. Scores of other Ohioans have been exonerated from long prison sentences. The factors that drive such wrongful convictions persist, so it makes sense that the governor is rethinking a system that risks taking innocent lives.”
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