Two legislators in the Ohio House propose a bill to abolish the death penalty in Ohio.

Two legislators in the Ohio House propose a bill to abolish the death penalty in Ohio. The bipartisan effort had its second hearing in the Ohio House Finance Committee. The bill sets out punishment for those who are convicted of, or plead guilty, to aggravated murder. Those punishments would be life in prison with eligibility for parole after 20 years…life in prison with eligibility for parole after 30 years…and life in prison, without parole. Anyone convicted of aggravated murder of someone 13 or younger…and who is also convicted or pleads guilty to a sexual motivation specification would be given 30 years to life. Officials say…one of the reasons commonly given for having the death penalty is that it deters violent crime, but others say that has not been shown true…adding, the death penalty is expensive for Ohioans. Many believe the higher cost is due to the lengthy appeals process…but…the cost is actually attributed to the fact a death row inmate is housed separately from everyone else.