COLUMBUS, Ohio — In the wake of the controversial execution of convicted murderer Kenneth Smith in Alabama, Ohio Republicans are pushing for a similar method to be adopted in the Buckeye State. Smith met his end on January 25th, condemned for the murder of Elizabeth Dorlene Sennet.
The use of nitrogen gas, however, has sparked outcry from anti-death penalty advocates who argue that it inflicts cruel and unusual punishment. Critics point to the gas’s asphyxiating effects, leading to a protracted and potentially agonizing death, as demonstrated in Smith’s case.
Ohio’s last execution took place on July 18, 2018, when Robert Van Hook was put to death by lethal injection for the 1985 murder of a man he met in a Cincinnati bar. Since then, all executions in the state have been on hold as officials grapple with challenges in securing the lethal injection medications.
In response to the perceived success of Smith’s execution, Ohio Representative Brian Stewart of Pickaway County and other right-wing leaders are set to introduce a bill advocating for the adoption of nitrogen gas as an alternative execution method in Ohio. Several state officials view this as a practical solution, especially in light of the ongoing difficulties in procuring the deadly cocktail for lethal injection.
The proposal has ignited a fierce debate within the state, pitting proponents of the death penalty against those who believe that any method of execution constitutes a violation of human rights. As Ohio grapples with the prospect of resuming capital punishment, the controversy surrounding the use of nitrogen gas intensifies, adding a new chapter to the long-standing debate on the ethics of the death penalty.
Congressional Candidate Derek Myers weighed in on the debate, releasing a statement saying, “These are child molesters, killers, and the most vile scum of our society. As far as I’m concerned, they should have been killed yesterday. I don’t care if you have to put rat poison in their food or take them out back and shoot them like the dogs they are. They’re a strain on the Ohio taxpayer it is time they face their consequences.” Myers has emerged as a hard-line MAGA conservative. He went on to say, “RINO Mike DeWine has delayed the executions of those who have taken the peace, happiness, and lives of many for long enough. The state legislature stopped his outrageous overreach during the pandemic and I applaud them for taking action on the death penalty. Terminate these vermin and restore peace.”