Ohio Legislators Introduce Bill Abolishing Death Penalty Ohio legislators have introduced a bill that would abolish the death penalty in the state. The bill, which was introduced by State Representatives Adam Miller and Niraj Antani, would replace the death penalty with life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. The bill comes after a series of botched executions in Ohio, including the execution of Dennis McGuire in 2014, which took 26 minutes and involved McGuire gasping for air. The state has also struggled to obtain the drugs needed for lethal injections, leading to delays and legal challenges. In addition to the practical issues with the death penalty, the bill's sponsors argue that it is morally wrong. The death penalty is a barbaric practice that has no place in a civilized society, said Representative Miller. It is expensive, ineffective, and often applied unfairly. The bill has received support from a number of organizations, including the Ohio Council of Churches, the Ohio Innocence Project, and the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio. These groups argue that the death penalty is not only morally wrong, but also fails to deter crime and is often applied in a racially biased manner. Opponents of the bill argue that the death penalty is necessary for the most heinous crimes, such as mass murder or terrorism. They also argue that it provides closure for victims' families and serves as a deterrent to would-be criminals. However, studies have shown that the death penalty does not deter crime any more effectively than life imprisonment. In addition, the families of murder victims often do not find closure in the execution of the perpetrator, and some even oppose the death penalty. If the bill is passed, Ohio would become the 24th state to abolish the death penalty. The trend towards abolition has been growing in recent years, with several states, including New Jersey, New Mexico, and Illinois, abolishing the death penalty in the past decade. The bill faces an uphill battle in the Ohio legislature, where Republicans hold a majority in both the House and Senate. However, the bill's sponsors are hopeful that they can build bipartisan support for the measure. We believe that the time has come for Ohio to join the growing number of states that have abolished the death penalty, said Representative Antani. It is time for us to move beyond this outdated and ineffective practice and focus on more effective ways to keep our communities safe.