More discussion in Ohio concerning death penalty.

Ohio politicians may be poised to consider whether the state might break its unofficial moratorium on the death penalty by following Alabama in using nitrogen gas to execute inmates. Ohio hasn’t executed anyone since 2018. In 2020, Gov., DeWine declared lethal injection no longer an option, citing a federal judge’s ruling that the protocol could cause inmates severe pain and needless suffering. State Attorney General, Dave Yost scheduled a news conference to discuss the next steps to kickstart Ohio’s capital punishment system. He has expressed support for the nitrogen gas method used for the first time in Alabama last week, when convicted murderer Kenneth Eugene Smith, 58, was put to death with nitrogen gas administered through a face mask to deprive him of oxygen. The execution took about 22 minutes from the time between the opening and closing of curtains to the viewing room. Smith seemed to remain conscious for several minutes. For at least two minutes, he appeared to shake and writhe on the gurney, sometimes pulling against the restraints. State officials in Alabama say the process was humane and effective, while critics called it cruel and experimental.