The death penalty debate has resurfaced in Ohio after years of dormancy. A new method involving nitrogen gas has emerged, as demonstrated by Alabama's recent execution. Gary Mohr, who served as director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections from 2011 to 2018, joins the show.
Capitol Punishment
After the state faced challenges in obtaining the necessary drugs for lethal injections, and a federal judge deemed the existing protocol as causing "severe pain and needless suffering," the death penalty effectively ended in Ohio. The state's last execution occurred in 2018.
This week the state of Alabama executed Kenneth Eugene Smith using nitrogen gas. While Alabama officials praised it as humane and effective, critics labeled it as cruel and experimental.
Following the execution, Attorney General Dave Yost, two state representatives, and the head of the Ohio Prosecutors Association urged lawmakers to pass a bill permitting Ohio to use nitrogen. Yost believes this new method could potentially revive Ohio's capital punishment system.
Governor DeWine refrained from commenting on the bill or another one aiming to abolish the death penalty, expressing doubts about its effectiveness. Notably, DeWine has not ordered an execution during his tenure as governor.
Snollygoster of the Week
Celebrity power couple Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are sparking various political conspiracy theories. According to a recent theory, they are not a real couple; some claim the "deep state" orchestrated their connection to boost NFL viewing, promote COVID-19 vaccines (Travis features in Pfizer's COVID vaccine TV ads), and support Democrats, particularly Joe Biden. Ohio's Vivek Ramaswamy believes this is part of a plot for Swift and Kelce to endorse Biden.
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