FEATURED POST

Arkansas Supreme Court Decision Allows New DNA Testing in Case of the ​“West Memphis Three,” Convicted of Killing Three Children in 1993

Published
Image
On April 18, 2024, the Arkansas Supreme Court decided 4-3 to reverse a 2022 lower court decision and allow genetic testing of crime scene evidence from the 1993 killing of three eight-year-old boys in West Memphis. The three men convicted in 1994 for the killings were released in 2011 after taking an Alford plea, in which they maintained their innocence but plead guilty to the crime, in exchange for 18 years’ time served and 10 years of a suspended sentence. 

Ohio: McGuire family attorney files suit to stop death penalty

Published
Dennis McGuire
DAYTON — A Dayton law firm said it will file a federal lawsuit on behalf of the family of executed killer Dennis McGuire. They are seeking an injunction on the death penalty in Ohio claiming the execution of McGuire violated the eighth amendment of the U.S. constitution that prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.

Attorney Jon Paul Rion was joined by the son and daughter of McGuire Friday morning. McGuire was executed Thursday at the Southern Ohio Correctional Institution after receiving intravenous injections of a pair of chemicals that had not previously been used in executions. His death took much longer than past executions and brought immediate claims of cruelty.

McGuire laid still for about five minutes after the drugs were administered, then his body started convulsing in an apparent attempt to breathe. The breaths ranged from shallow to a violent, raspy snore. The snorts were so loud his daughter covered her ears.

" It was the most awful moment in my life to witness my dad's execution," said McGuire's son, Dennis D. McGuire. "I can't think of any other way to describe it than torture."

McGuire was convicted of the 1989 rape and slaying of pregnant Preble County resident Joy Stewart.

Source: Dayton Daily News, January 17, 2014


Ohians To Stop Executions Press Release

This morning at 10:53 Dennis McGuire was pronounced dead at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville. As customary, the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction called me to inform OTSE of the time of death. My phone rang at 10:56 am.

The initial reports were that Mr. McGuire died peacefully. However, we now understand that to be incorrect.

The Columbus Dispatch is reporting that Mr. McGuire struggled for air, just as attorneys arguing on McGuire's behalf opposing the use of the new, experimental chemicals warned would happen:

After being injected at 10:29 a.m., about four minutes later McGuire started struggling and gasping loudly for air, making snorting and choking sounds which lasted for at least 10 minutes. His chest heaved and his left fist clenched as deep, snorting sounds emanated from his mouth.

Ohio's new execution process became a little more transparent today. But we already know that the method of HOW we kill prisoners is not the point. It's that we kill them when we don't need to. Our state is no better off today for Dennis McGuire's death by suffocation.

Our hearts go out to the families of Joy Stewart and Dennis McGuire. We should also keep those in mind who witnessed the suffocation death of Dennis McGuire. They undoubtedly had a traumatic experience in Lucasville.

I encourage you to write a short letter to Governor Kasich to let him know your thoughts on today's events at Lucasville. His mailing address is:

Governor John R. Kasich
Riffe Center, 30th Floor
77 S. High Street
Columbus, OH 43215.
USA
Governor of Ohio Website: Contact the Governor

We will keep you informed of developments as they happen.

Kevin Werner
Executive Director
614-560-0654

(Source: Ohians To Stop Executions)
Related content:

Most Viewed (Last 7 Days)

Arkansas Supreme Court Decision Allows New DNA Testing in Case of the ​“West Memphis Three,” Convicted of Killing Three Children in 1993

Published
Image
On April 18, 2024, the Arkansas Supreme Court decided 4-3 to reverse a 2022 lower court decision and allow genetic testing of crime scene evidence from the 1993 killing of three eight-year-old boys in West Memphis. The three men convicted in 1994 for the killings were released in 2011 after taking an Alford plea, in which they maintained their innocence but plead guilty to the crime, in exchange for 18 years’ time served and 10 years of a suspended sentence. 
Read more

Utah requests execution of death row inmate

Published
Image
SALT LAKE CITY — The state of Utah requested on Tuesday that a man who’s been on death row for almost 25 years be executed. Taberon Honie was convicted of the murder of his ex-girlfriend’s mother in 1999. In the death warrant application, the state’s lawyers said Honie used up his appeals and there is no longer any legal reason to stop Honie’s execution.
Read more

Alabama SC approves second nitrogen gas execution

Published
Image
The Alabama Supreme Court has authorized the execution of a second inmate by nitrogen gas, months after the state became the first state to put a person to death with the previously untested method. Justices granted Attorney General Steve Marshall’s request for an execution date for Alan Eugene Miller, who survived a 2022 lethal injection attempt.
Read more

Cuba Maintains Capital Punishment to "Deter and Intimidate"

Published
Image
Aware that only the use of terror and force keeps it in power, the Cuban regime makes it clear that if necessary, it will not hesitate to kill. HAVANA TIMES – Inflation, misery, the lack of medicine, and power outages, which were the triggers for previous demonstrations, are worsening daily in Cuba. Given the possibility that these protests may occur again, the regime has threatened the death penalty for those who participate in demonstrations considered “illegal.”
Read more

Four More Prisoners Executed in Iran

Published
Image
Authorities of the Islamic Republic executed four more prisoners over the weekend as death penalties continue to rise in the country. The Iran Human Rights Organization reported that three inmates were executed on April 27 in Tabriz Prison for drug-related offenses. The inmates were identified as Amir Moharrami, 36, Davoud Namyari, 33, and Sohrab Hokmabad. 
Read more

Iran | 10 Men Executed in 2 Days in Isfahan Prison

Published
Image
Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); May 1, 2024: Ten men including an Afghan national, were executed in Isfahan Central Prison over two days. Seven were on death row for drug-related offences and three were sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder. According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, two men were executed in Isfahan Central Prison (Dastgerd) on 28 April. They were sentenced to qisas for murder but their identity has not been established at the time of writing.
Read more