AG Yost discusses nitrogen hypoxia as a remedy to carry out Ohio's death penalty

News In Focus with Chris Long

AG Yost discusses nitrogen hypoxia as a remedy to carry out Ohio's death penalty

Attorney General Dave Yost joined Representatives Brian Stewart and Phil Plummer in a recent press conference announcing legislation that would include nitrogen hypoxia as a method to carry out Ohio's death penalty. In recent years, Ohio, along with other states who have a death penalty for certain capital crime, i.e. murder, has been stymied by the drug industry that will not provide the state with the drugs to be used in lethal injection. In February, Alabama carried out a successful execution using nitrogen hypoxia. The Attorney General of Alabama declared it a success and stated that he would be available for other states' attorneys to contact his office for details.

The following are statements from AG Yost and State Rep. Phil Plummer. “There must be accountability for offenders convicted of the most heinous crimes and prisoners who continue to flout the law behind bars,” Yost said. “The pursuit of justice is a journey, and closure remains elusive for victims’ families until a sentence is fully executed. Ensuring that the consequences align with the severity of an offense is essential to providing solace to grieving relatives.” “Capital punishment has been recognized by the state of Ohio since 1803. It is now time for the authorization of other methods for carrying out capital punishment in addition to lethal injections,” Plummer stated. “By using nitrogen hypoxia, we are giving the system an additional resource for holding accountable those who have committed heinous crimes. Claims of a lack of access to lethal injections by Ohio’s executive branch will no longer be the case. It is time that we stop postponing executions and give the families of victims the closure that they deserve.”