Ohio Execution Review Could Have Nationwide Impact

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Posted by Melissa Preble
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 08:55

Death penalty cases cause a lot of emotions on both sides of the issue. Can a man who brutally and painfully murders someone else then cry that his own death is inhumane? I think that the question of whether or not the death given the inmate is humane or not is not the real point. Sure, having an IV started, even by someone who isn’t very good at it, is hardly torture. And the murderer probably deserves to be put to death. But do we as a nation deserve to be the murderers of that man? If killing is wrong, then the governmenrt should not sanction it. I’ve read the old “eye for an eye” argument but where does that stop? If we truly used the “eye for an eye” method of justice, we’d all be blind. The humanity of the death penalty is really pointless. The death penalty is often touted as a powerful deterent to crime when in fact it is not. Countries that use the death penalty rather than life in prison do not have significantly lower crime rates than those that do not. The death penalty is also often praised as away to avoid spending money on the maintenance of a criminal but the death penalty is astronomically more expensive than life in prison. And there have been a number of cases where a person has been convicted of a capitol crime only to be proven innocent later. If he’s already been killed, its a little hard to apologize. The governor was right to delay executions while they can be studied. He is not advocating releasing these criminals. They can still be killed in a month or a year if that is determined to be the proper course but they cannot be reanimated if its determined that they shouldn’t have died or shouldn’t have died in “that way.” Taking the life of another human being is too big to be done lightly.

Posted by Brian DeMelo
Tuesday, December 08, 2009 02:46

I agree with Ohio Govenor Strickland on delaying the executions. The botched injection is a rare occasion, however, the lethal injection seems to be the better solution for the death penalty over the electric chair or gas chamber. I must say that I am for the death penalty but some of the things that have come to my attention is research shows states that have the death penalty show higher homicide rates. Also, states that reinstated the death penalty didn’t show any decrease in homicide rates.

Another thing to consider is the amount it costs to put someone to death is much more than keeping them in prison. A study reveals Maryland Pays $37 Million Per Execution. The study, prepared by the Urban Institute, estimates that the average cost to Maryland taxpayers for reaching a single death sentence is $3 million. That is $1.9 million more than the cost of a non-death penalty case. One more thing to consider, is that for every 8 executions, 1 person has been deemed innocent and released from death row. November 8, 2009 people have been exonerated by the innocence project usually based on DNA evidence. It is crazy to think that it cost around $1.9 million to put someone in the death penalty, but I think it is even more crazy that it cost that much to kill an innocent person. Therefore, I think Ohio Govenor Strickland should take his time and consider all possibilities.

Posted by Kirsten Stinson
Monday, December 07, 2009 12:50

I do not agree with Ohio Govenor Strickland on delaying the executions. I am all for the death penalty. I believe an eye for an eye. However, I think they need to get rid of lethal injections and utilize the firing squad more frequently. Putting these people in the jail system in increasing the deficit in the U.S. economy. Our taxes are being used to provide food, shelter and an easy way of life for convicted felons. I can understand why much of the criminal activity is derived from the poverty line individuals. Life is a cake walk in jail. They sit around all day, play pool, relax, read books, watch tv annd lead a leisurely life. Whereas the rest of us work hard, bust our ass to make a good living for ourselves and are forced to pay for these losers who want the easy way out.

There is a jail, which I believe is in Texas, which forces the convicts to live off the land, building their own tents, planting gardens, actually making them provide for themselves. It is encaged with a large fence, as there is with typical penitentiaries, so no prisioner is able to escape. I think this is the most effective way of rehabilitating a person, which is what the jail systems should be used for. Not just providing a nice place to live for criminals. The taxes that are used to keep these people sustained should be used to fund our education, and help the people who are actually trying to help themselves.

Keeping death row inmates alive and utilizing lethal injection costs the state millions of dollars. If we used the firing squad more often, som much money wold be saved. People want to protest about the 8th amendment and how it is cruel and unusual punishment. Well I say these people deserve no more than that. People who take other peoples lives deserve nothing. Being held on death row for 10-20 years is insane. The government is just procrastinating and prolonging what needs to be done. Within a year, the sentenced should be carried out and a bill for the bullet should be billed to the family. I do know that their are people who are innocent that are on death row, but its a small percent. Every system has flaws in it. And maybe its karma if your on death row. Who knows? Maybe things need to be changed about the way we decipher who is guilty or not guilty, who goes on death row and who doesn’t. But once you are on death row, no appealing, just be done with it.

Posted by mkobs
Sunday, December 06, 2009 08:54

When looking at this subject one thing comes to mind. The horrific raping and murdering of a 14 year old girl. Compared to the evil which this “man” has done i feel that a little pricking is far too small a deal to even waste time thinking about. The fact that the inmate has spent this much of my time is a crime unto itself. There are times when the punishment fits the crime and this is one where I feel a quick and somewhat painful death is not appropriate. I feel it should be dragged out however who am I to be judge, jury and in this case i would gladly be executioner. In the past 32 years there have only been 1185 executions in the U.S. When you look at this number compared to the evils done in my opinion it is quite small. If there is any fault I’d say that the process of execution is what needs to be fixed. We need to expedite the process in ridding ourselves of these evil doers. Set limits as to the amount of appeals allowed and once found guilty and sentenced the state should no longer fund any extraneous legal proceedings i the appelate courts. The inmate should have to pay out of their own pocket and if they can’t well then..tough. How he,she,it gets the money should not be my, your, the taxpayer or the victims family’s problem. This in turn would in my opinion not only expedite the process of ridding ourselves of this unneeded trash but also in turn free up some of those much needed tax-payer dollars for ventures more worthwhile than making sure that a rapist-murderer is comfortable in their last hours.

Posted by Brianna Tourville
Sunday, December 06, 2009 07:18

First let me say there are so many different angles and ways I or anyone could argue this case. Yes the way which Broom had to go about attempting to be executed were very cruel, but what about the crime he committed to get him such a sentence to begin with? Did he maybe not deserve to suffer some? Is it possible that the death penalty is just unnecessary and goes above a punishment that anyone should be allowed to give to another? Is there ever a humane way to kill someone?

That being said, I feel that overall the death penalty should not be allowed. I say this from a psychological standpoint of how is it okay for one human to sentence another to death? We are all human and all make mistakes. So what makes it okay for a judge to sentence someone else to die? Let’s say a man is on trial for murdering someone brutally in their home. Does sentencing him to death make it okay? Isn’t the judge on some level, committing a similar injustice? He too is killing another human indirectly. And psychologically, is it sound to let someone make such decisions? wouldn’t that person eventually feel the weight and mental effects of sentencing so many people or any people to death?

I also look at the several cases which we have examined such as Ford v. Wainwright and Thompson v. Oklahoma: How is it okay to have to discuss whether or not an insane person should allowed to be killed? Or how about having to debate if someone who can’t even drive legally should be allowed to live? These are issues that are brought about by the death penalty. They are issues which I feel other humans should not be allowed to make decisions on. It runs the risk of giving these same people a God complex. Yes I may be getting dramatic, but it is a possibility. Being us only human, we have to examine our own weaknesses, especially when punishing another for their own weaknesses and mistakes.

Up until I read this article, I would have said if someone has to be executed that lethal injection is the most humane way. However, as in this case, even lethal injection can get inhumane. That being recognized, is there any humane way to kill someone? When a child is young, parents are told that if they do something wrong, a punishment must follow closely in time in order to make the child realize what the punishment is for. If this is a common psychological development fact, how is the death penalty doing its job? Sure it eliminates the person from being a danger to others, but prison was doing the same thing. And having to wait twenty years from when the crime was committed to be punished for it, goes directly against the basic rule of punish quickly to teach the lesson. Death doesn’t teach a lesson, but it does ensure that it doesn’t happen again.

If prisons are doing their jobs, then it is possible for a person to be reformed or at least prevent them from being a danger to society going forward. That being said, why then go a step further and execute them? What good does that do in teaching the person a lesson or changing them? What if a person does in fact change and reform in prison? How does still killing them reward them for changing? What motivation does it give others to also work to change?

Overall, I think that if there is no guaranteed humane way to execute someone, then it shouldn’t be an option. And there is still the question raised of what does executing a person teach them and others? In my opinion not much. As I started by saying, there are a lot of issues and views to be argued and I could go in circles trying to connect them all.

Posted by Liz Kelley
Sunday, December 06, 2009 06:24

This man was tried and convicted by a jury of his peers and his sentence was handed down by the judge. He raped and murdered a 14 year old girl. He has had the time to prepare for his death she did not. I believe that the Governor should carry out the sentence he has a duty to the family of the victim to do this.
I believe that a panel should look at the procedure for the lethal injection to prevent a situation such as this from happening in the future. I believe they should have assessed the inmate the day before the execution to be sure he was well hydrated and had access to a vein, if at that time they determined that his veins were not accessible then an alternative plan should have been put into place such as a central line or another form of access. I do feel that lethal injection is the most humane form of execution.
I agree with Tracy when she quoted a letter to the editor of the Zanesville Times Recorder that said, “If the death row inmate thinks lethal injection is cruel and unusual punishment, give them the option of dying in the same manner in which they slew their victim.” I also believe that Brooms should be put to death by lethal injection as soon as a system has been put into place.

Posted by Jillian
Sunday, December 06, 2009 04:36

I think that the govenor of Ohio should be reconcidering methods of the death penalty and should continue what he is doing. However I do believe that if someone on death row has a set date of execution then it should be following through on that date. The criminal has enough anticipation for a long time and to move the date or time due to complications is uncalled for. In the case of Broome I think that it is rediculous people think that getting a few needle sticks is cruel and unusale punishment. People go throuh that everyday at hospitals all over the world, and no one thinks twice about it, but beacuse a man is getting the death penatly for raping and murdering a girl and is getting a lethal injection, its all of a sudden an issue. The govenor of Ohio should create a protocol so this issue doesnt happen again. Perhaps having a ore qualified proffesional such as a doctor enter the IV or even putting the IV in 24 hours before so that way at the time of execution there will be no delays.

Posted by Amanda Tardiff
Sunday, December 06, 2009 03:37

I think that with any means of execution there is a risk that something could go wrong. I don’t think that this policy should be changed due to the case of them not being able to find a vein. This is something that should be considered in the event that this happens. Maybe they could come up with an alternate plan or obtain a type of fluoroscopic tool to help them find a vein. This will be an added expense for something that will not be used often.
If I had to choose a way to be put to death I would choose lethal injection. They give the medication first so you don’t feel anything, then they stop your heart with two medications. To me this doesn’t seem like a bad way to die. I think of all the people that suffer in the world not being able to breathe and they probably wish of such a death.

Posted by Laura-Beth
Sunday, December 06, 2009 03:16

I agree with the Governor’s choice to review the process of executing peopl by lethal injection. I think it is completely ridiculous as well that it took the people over 2 hours to find a vein. Also the fact that the crime took place over 20 years ago and this man has been waiting on death row since?? Is that correct, because if so the case should also be reconsidered for the death penalty. The reaosn I think this is because for one new technology has come out, DNA tersting for example. Another thing is that you put this man on death row for over 20 years and then take 2 hours to not hit a vein and not end his life. As far as I m concerned this man has already ended his life. I know that what they say he did is an aweful horendous crime but so isn’t living your life in prison waiting to die and then something going wrong and being tortured for two hours. Yes I absolutely think they should look at the process again and think of a different way to go about the death penalty.

Posted by Heidi
Sunday, December 06, 2009 12:55

The death penalty should be kept on the board because it’s meant for someone who has committed a horrible, heinous crime that took a person or peoples life. This person took another life and gets to sit in prison. A prison where they’re fed, watch TV, read books, have time outside and can even gain a free education. Yes, that is so horrible. I would understand how a victim’s family can feel outrage when a person is committed for life, because it doesn’t even compare to where there loved one now lies.

Lethal injection may have problems which are going to happen. Compare it to how the death penalties use to be, they should be thankful they get to go down this road. If a person is proved 100% by DNA and even admits to the murder they now need to face the consequences. If I had it my way, I would go down the much cheaper and simpler route to a death penalty and wouldn’t think twice about how inhumane it is.

Posted by Angela
Sunday, December 06, 2009 10:49

I think this is absolutely rediculous!! firs of all, on a man a vein is very easy to access, butt sometimes the vein can roll, which does make it hard get an IV into. A properly trained, seasoned nurse had many techniques she uses in situationls like this. This whole situation should have been avoided. Secondly, to ensure a successful termination, I beleive an anesthesiologist should replace these nurses to establish an IV line. Under their license, they can establish access anywhere!!! I do not think that execution should be postponed. I would have gotten another nurse in the room to keep trying. Some people are calling this IV attempt cruel and unusual punishment, I disagree. Look at the crime this man did, he raped and murdered a 14 Year old Girl! and an couple pokes with a needle is cruel?! come on! so what happens when someone comes into the hospital to be treated for an illness and IV access is almost impossible? do we tell them to go home, NO we find a way and do it. this situation should be treated the same way. This man did a horrible crime and shold pay for it. Do not give him the benefit of having a couple more days, weeks or even another apeal because he got stuck a few too many times. there are other forms of access to give medications. Maybe this system should look at them, for example Intraosseous access. A needle set put into the flat bone into ones leg. Mutliple medications can be given at one time and it is the same as being in vein because of the vascularization in bones. this is non invasive and works! The legal system does not work when things are not carried out by current laws. a man was convicted and charged with a crime and a sentence was given, FOLLOW THROUGH!!

Posted by Ruby Robbins
Sunday, December 06, 2009 09:05

I know that many supporters of the death penalty will disagree with Governor Strickland’s review of lethal injection executions, but I do not. An inmate on death row has convicted a heinous crime or crimes; but at the same time many prisoners on death row have been found to be wrongly accused and freed based on DNA evidence. It is possible to have an innocent person on death row. Who would want to ever be responsible for executing an innocent prisoner? Even if the death row inmate is guilty the death penalty still has its drawbacks. The costs involved in putting an inmate to death as compared to keeping them in prison for the rest of their lives are astronomical and a drain on the economy. And as another commenter posted, the death penalty needs to be “applied fairly to all criminals regardless of their income, or skin color”.

Posted by Ryan O'Leary
Sunday, December 06, 2009 08:32

I feel that the entire case has gained mass exposure simply because of the botched injection by questionably skilled individuals. Should we refrain from executing Broom because of this? My answer is no. We are not arguing what he did to receive the death sentence, or that his case was fair and just. He was sentenced to death and there is undoubtedly many more qualified health personnel that can successfully perform an injection.
I would like to add that I strongly agree that many executions have taken place on innocent individuals. I feel that when the Ohio State officials decided to delay, or possibly revoke the death sentence for Broom it was based on the notion that perhaps their neglegence in turn owes Broom another chance at life. I am just confounded because I cannot decide wether allowing Broom to live is more of a legal gesture of kindness which is truly protecting him from cruel an unusual punnishment. Or if the decision to repeal the death sentence is just a product of our society that would feed on this kind of case, and it would tear the state of Ohio apart to make the wrong decision.

Also, as a reply to Lisa Dolan: I love how you mentioned that England used to deport their criminals to Australia. I have head of this but do not know it happened for fact. The points you raise that many of these criminals would in turn learn to live as a positive membe of this new society. I strongly agree because this follows the same principals of Meilieu therapy which was popular in the “farm” style mental health institutions in the United States and Europe from the 1800’s until the deinstitutionalization program ending in the 1980’s. The institutionalized patients were arranged in large groups of 30 or so individuals and had daily chores and activities they needed to accomplish in order for the institution to be primarily self sustaining. This program has always been one of my favorite, though not very practical by today’s patient standards, though it could adapt wonderfully to prisoners who by nature have fewer rights.

Posted by Heidi
Sunday, December 06, 2009 08:21

The death penalty is put in place for one reason and that is to end a person’s life who committed a horrible and heniuos crime. They will never leave the prison and will live a life better off than the person or persons’ lives they may have tortured and ended leaving the victims family to deal with the loss as the killer lives on watching tv, reading books and gaining an education. Perhaps if the prison system eliminated these benefits and made it more like a prison with nothing to keep them occupied, but to sit in there own filth and rot away, I wouldn’t be so much for the death penalty.

If DNA proved they did it and even if they admitted it, they should face lethal injection. Problems and mistakes will happen in this process, but if they didn’t committ the crime they wouldn’t be in that situation. Considering what the death penalty was like years ago and even how some countries still condemn killers to death is still one of the human ways to put someone to death, although I’m for other harsh ways to put them to death.

Posted by Suzanne
Saturday, December 05, 2009 03:02

On one hand, I do believe an eye for eye as the Old testament states. The Death Penalty is not handed out for mild regressions on society. A person has to commit a serious crime with intent and maliciousness. Yes I do agree that the system has its flaws and hopefully we continue to work on correcting them. I do believe that it is OK , for the goverment to review operation procedures but for how long. I believe that the person on death row could have the possibility of choosing his/her own fate. As stated above the prisoner could have the option to suffer the same consequences as his victim …unfortunately this would not be possible as there is no one that should have to be forced to torture and murder another.

I believe that we as a society are trying to be as compassionate and as ethical as we can. Where was the compassion for the victim, for the victims family? To think that some view torture as a few needle sticks boggles my mind. I can not and will never will have to imagine what it is like for somone on death row and I do feel sympathy for anyone who is suffering…but as I continue to think about the vile, inhumane acts that these people have done..my sympathies wane and turn to empathy but also to justice.

Posted by Tracy
Saturday, December 05, 2009 01:13

In my opinion, this “problem” with the death penalty in Ohio is ridiculous. Since the nurses couldn’t find a vein on Broom and he had to be poked various times, people are now looking to see if death by lethal injection is a cruel and an unusual punishment. I don’t believe that lethal injection goes against the 8th amendment at all. Considering the alternative ways people used to be put to death in the past, lethal injection seems to be the most “peaceful” way. I also put into consideration that when a person is sentenced with the death penalty, it is not because they committed some petty crime. In Broom’s case, he raped and killed a teenage girl. In addition, I completely agree with this letter to the editor of the Zanesville Times Recorder that said, “If the death row inmate thinks lethal injection is cruel and unusual punishment, give them the option of dying in the same manner in which they slew their victim.”
However, I do believe that when a person has a set day to be sentenced to death, then it should happen that day. In Broom’s case, nurses couldn’t find a vein, so in the future there could be some preventative interventions. For example, nurses could evaluate the person’s veins beforehand to determine if someone more qualified is needed to come in. It is very rare that a person does not have any accessible veins. In a hospital when a nurse cannot access a vein on a patient, someone who is more qualified is called in. It gets me mad that people are considering that Broom shouldn’t have experienced what he did. What I see are the numerous numbers of innocent people who have to be poked and prodded all the time. For example, a child with leukemia who is always in the hospital with IVs is constantly poked at more and more because of their veins being used all the time. For the most part, this innocent child learns to deal with the pain and doesn’t complain. I just believe that someone who is more qualified should be called in if there is a problem with the veins.
When it comes to the issue of the drugs used, I believe that the person who is on death row can have the choice if they want to receive the typical three drugs or if they want to receive extra Thiopental. According to Mark Dershwitz a Massachusetts anesthesiologist, he believes that switching to extra doses of “Thiopental is feasible” and there were even two other death row inmates who decided on this method. I think that the governor of Ohio should continue with the pending executions and if you ask me, Brooms should be put to death by lethal injection and an anesthesiologist should just come in and perform the procedure.

Posted by Tracy
Saturday, December 05, 2009 01:09

In my opinion, this “problem” with the death penalty in Ohio is ridiculous. Since the nurses couldn’t find a vein on Broom and he had to be poked various times, people are now looking to see if death by lethal injection is a cruel and an unusual punishment. I don’t believe that lethal injection goes against the 8th amendment at all. Considering the alternative ways people used to be put to death in the past, lethal injection seems to be the most “peaceful” way. I also put into consideration that when a person is sentenced with the death penalty, it is not because they committed some petty crime. In Broom’s case, he raped and killed a teenage girl. In addition, I completely agree with this letter to the editor of the Zanesville Times Recorder that said, “If the death row inmate thinks lethal injection is cruel and unusual punishment, give them the option of dying in the same manner in which they slew their victim.”

However, I do believe that when a person has a set day to be sentenced to death, then it should happen that day. In Broom’s case, nurses couldn’t find a vein, so in the future there could be some preventative interventions. For example, nurses could evaluate the person’s veins beforehand to determine if someone more qualified is needed to come in. It is very rare that a person does not have any accessible veins. In a hospital when a nurse cannot access a vein on a patient, someone who is more qualified is called in. It gets me mad that people are considering that Broom shouldn’t have experienced what he did. What I see are the numerous numbers of innocent people who have to be poked and prodded all the time. For example, a child with leukemia who is always in the hospital with IVs is constantly poked at more and more because of their veins being used all the time. For the most part, this innocent child learns to deal with the pain and doesn’t complain. I just believe that someone who is more qualified should be called in if there is a problem with the veins.

When it comes to the issue of the drugs used, I believe that the person who is on death row can have the choice if they want to receive the typical three drugs or if they want to receive extra Thiopental. According to Mark Dershwitz a Massachusetts anesthesiologist, he believes that switching to extra doses of “Thiopental is feasible” and there were even two other death row inmates who decided on this method. I think that the governor of Ohio should continue with the pending executions and if you ask me, Brooms should be put to death by lethal injection and an anesthesiologist should just come in and perform the procedure.

Posted by Tracy
Saturday, December 05, 2009 01:07

In my opinion, this “problem” with the death penalty in Ohio is ridiculous. Since the nurses couldn’t find a vein on Broom and he had to be poked various times, people are now looking to see if death by lethal injection is a cruel and an unusual punishment. I don’t believe that lethal injection goes against the 8th amendment at all. Considering the alternative ways people used to be put to death in the past, lethal injection seems to be the most “peaceful” way. I also put into consideration that when a person is sentenced with the death penalty, it is not because they committed some petty crime. In Broom’s case, he raped and killed a teenage girl. In addition, I completely agree with this letter to the editor of the Zanesville Times Recorder that said, “If the death row inmate thinks lethal injection is cruel and unusual punishment, give them the option of dying in the same manner in which they slew their victim.”
  However, I do believe that when a person has a set day to be sentenced to death, then it should happen that day. In Broom’s case, nurses couldn’t find a vein, so in the future there could be some preventative interventions. For example, nurses could evaluate the person’s veins beforehand to determine if someone more qualified is needed to come in. It is very rare that a person does not have any accessible veins. In a hospital when a nurse cannot access a vein on a patient, someone who is more qualified is called in. It gets me mad that people are considering that Broom shouldn’t have experienced what he did. What I see are the numerous numbers of innocent people who have to be poked and prodded all the time. For example, a child with leukemia who is always in the hospital with IVs is constantly poked at more and more because of their veins being used all the time. For the most part, this innocent child learns to deal with the pain and doesn’t complain. I just believe that someone who is more qualified should be called in if there is a problem with the veins.
  When it comes to the issue of the drugs used, I believe that the person who is on death row can have the choice if they want to receive the typical three drugs or if they want to receive extra Thiopental. According to Mark Dershwitz a Massachusetts anesthesiologist, he believes that switching to extra doses of “Thiopental is feasible” and there were even two other death row inmates who decided on this method. I think that the governor of Ohio should continue with the pending executions and if you ask me, Brooms should be put to death by lethal injection and an anesthesiologist should just come in and perform the procedure.

Posted by Laura Roy
Saturday, December 05, 2009 09:48

I have never really considered myself to be in a position in which I am for or against the death penalty. I have my own opinions and beliefs about both sides of the debate. I believe there are cases which absolutely constitute the death penalty and there are cases in which life in prison is just as sufficient. I think capital punishment truly depends on the individual case. I don’t think it should be abolished altogether but I don’t think it is necessary in every circumstance.

On the position of supporting the death penalty given the appropriate circumstances of the case, I don’t believe it should matter what method is used as long as the inmate is put to death. Once someone is given the sentence of being put to death I believe there has to be substantial evidence and support for the jury as well as the judge’s decision to do so. Based on that, I have no sympathy for the means by which the executions are done. If someone is being put to death for such horrendous crimes that have been committed, I can’t imagine the defendant had any remorse or care for how his victim(s) are murdered. The people that are put on death row are capital murderers; people that are serial killers, or kill someone in the line of duty, or kill without any actual motive.
  
An example to support my opinion on what circumstances constitute the death penalty and which do not would be someone that kills someone in a self defense circumstance I believe should be sentenced strictly but not put to death. Regardless of it being self defense, it is still not right to take someone’s life and justice should be served. There are other options for providing safety to oneself.
   
One case in NH that is receiving wide media attention is the case of Michael Addison whom has been found guilty of capital murder for killing a police officer in the line of duty and is currently on death row as a sentence. I do agree with the sentencing in this case however, I believe that other people working in the line of duty should be placed in the same category (EMS workers, Firefighters etc. not just law enforcement). I believe other emergency personnel are in just as much danger in dealing with people on the streets. Another case that is new in NH is the case of the Mont Vernon murder. This is such a sad case and I do believe capital punishment should be the sentence that these individuals receive. In the case of the Mont Vernon murder as well as the majority of other murders, the victim is brutally dismantled before death occurs; so why should we be so concerned about these inmates receiving “discomfort” from an IV needle?? I believe lethal injection and the gas chamber are the most humane means of execution. These murderers weren’t concerned with how long their victims had to suffer before death set in on them.
  
In the case of a botched execution I don’t think it is right or wrong. These people made their victims suffer as well as the family of their victims so why is it so “wrong” for them to suffer in death? If after a couple attempts at lethal injection do not work then maybe the prisoner should have the option of a less humane but more concrete way of execution.

There are a couple points from others that I agree with. For one, I agree that these dates should not be postponed any longer than they already are while sitting on death row. Another point that I saw that was extremely intellectual is the suggestion of using PICC lines instead of two IV lines. I believe a PICC line is a substantial way to reduce the chance of botched executions. In regards to the cost of the death penalty, I would reduce the cost of having the death penalty by only allowing one appeal to be done in a death penalty sentence.

If I were the governor of Ohio I would not re-evaluate much about lethal injections. The only thing I would look into further would be the use of PICC lines for lethal injection, and the option of giving prisoners the choice to choose a different/quicker means of execution. To clarify, if a lethal injection was given and the prisoner was still alive, I may try once more the same day, or I may just give the prisoner the option to continue the attempts through lethal injection or choose another means of execution.

Posted by Jill Theriault
Saturday, December 05, 2009 07:29

Personally, I feel that the Governor of Ohio should create a 5 person panel to research how capital punishment is currently given and give recommendation on how it can be improved. This panel should consist of a law enforcement member, Dr. of psychology specializing in forensic/criminal psychology, a medical doctor, a correctional expert and a law expert such as a member from the local District of Attorney’s office. It is important that this panel not be influenced by politics only. They must be able to supply independent and subjective research.

The 8th Amendment protects against cruel and unusual punishment against individuals. With that in mind we must remember why these individuals have been sent to death row. They are murderers, rapist and are the worst our society has produced. Any person who has preyed on the weak such as women, children, elderly and the mentally impaired should suffer. These criminals on death row have been found guilty, exhausted their appeals and sent to death row. It is my opinion that they have given cruel and unusual punishment to their victims, which is often forgotten in our society.

If someone such as Mr. Broom does not have a worthy vein and it is viewed as cruel and unusual punishment then another method of death should be supplied, such as the gas chamber. Let’s remember that it was has early has 1996 that the state of Utah executed John Albert Taylor by fire squad, to me, that is cruel and unusual punishment and something such as lethal injection and keeping the criminal comfortable is more than they deserve.

Posted by derek connary
Thursday, December 03, 2009 09:45

Personally, I am in favor of Governor Strickland’s review of executions. In my opinion, many innocent people are executed every year. I feel that the death penalty should be abolished until three things happen: There is a system in place to make sure that each inmate has a right to prove his innocence, including DNA testing if applicable. The courts need to make sure that the death penalty is applied fairly to all criminals regardless of their income, or skin color. Finally, the state needs to make sure that staff doing executions are properly trained and that the proper equipment is available.

Posted by Roxana
Thursday, December 03, 2009 08:13

I think that the Governor of Ohio should postpone pending executions, including the execution of Romell Broom, to focus on the procedures and techniques of their execution methods. Currently Ohio’s execution procedure states “Every possible effort shall be made to anticipate and plan for foreseeable difficulties in establishing and maintaining the IV lines. The condemned prisoner shall be evaluated by appropriately trained medical staff on the day of arrival at the institution, to evaluate the prisoner’s veins and plan for the insertion of the IV lines. At a minimum, the inmate shall be evaluated upon arrival, later that evening at a time to be determined by the Warden, and on the following morning prior to nine a.m. Potential problems shall be noted and discussed, and potential solutions considered, in advanced of the execution”. The state of Ohio mentions “hands on” evaluation as well as medical records evaluation but it does not indicate if “hands on” simply means assessing sites visually or actually attempting to insert IVs. Also under procedures it states “the team member shall make such number of attempts to establish IV sites as may be reasonable under the circumstances and shall take the amount of time necessary when pursing this objective. The Warden, upon consultation with the Director and others as necessary will make the decision whether or how long to undertake or continue efforts to establish an IV site.” [http://www.drc.ohio.gov/web/drc_policies/documents/01-COM-11.pdf]

With the above insight on the procedures I came to my opinion that the state of Ohio should postpone executions. It would not accomplish anything if the state decided to try again in one week and then fail once more, or say that they were successful this time but failed once more in the future with another execution, would anything change then? This “botched” execution is not the first for the state of Ohio; On May 2, 2006 Joseph L. Clark was sentenced to die, it took 22 minutes for the technicians to find a viable vein, after one was found it collapsed and took another 30 minutes to find another vein, eventually after almost 2 hours the execution was completed. On May 24, 2007 Christopher Newton was stuck at least ten times in attempts to find a viable vein, he was declared dead after two hours [http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/some-examples-post-furman-botched-executions]. Given those examples it seems as though there needs to be an alternate method or out come when it comes to finding useable veins for executions. I do not think that numerous attempts or postponing/resuming an execution after a week violates the eighth amendment, but I do think that situations like these are indicators that a change needs to be made.

My suggestions would be to draw up a more clear procedure; for example “a technician may attempt insertion 2 times at each site, if after 8 attempts a viable vein cannot be found the director and Warden shall be consulted and a physician shall be utilized to attempt insertion”. Or perhaps the state should make it mandatory for the technicians to attempt IV insertion one week prior to the execution, allowing the veins some time to heal and giving the technicians insight on the conditions of the inmates veins. The procedure at the time of execution should be evaluated as well. Perhaps a topical anesthetic should be applied to numerous IV sites on every condemned inmate in preparation that something like this could happen; a topical anesthetic would help alleviate discomfort or minimize pain felt with IV insertions. Perhaps a PICC line should be inserted rather than two peripheral IVs; a PICC line has numerous lumens making it acceptable to push different medications through each lumen, medications will also reach the heart more rapidly than a peripheral line making death faster (typically lethal injection requires two peripheral IVs, that is why I am suggesting a PICC).

Ultimately, it may come about that other ways to carry out an execution are needed. Recent articles have suggested that perhaps intramuscular injections or the gas chamber are more appropriate. Others have stated that perhaps large doses of barbiturates should be used, also adding that this is the preferred way to execute animals. Whatever the methods may be, a clear and concise procedure should be enforced so that failures are less likely to occur.

Posted by Lisa Dolan
Tuesday, December 01, 2009 10:41

When looking at statistics, death row inmates often wait as long as 20 years. I think it is cruel, in a certain way, to suddenly change this. I am speaking from a psychological viewpoint. There is a certain mental preparation in especially something so profound as one’s own death. If the inmate has a set date, and it could not be disputed by appeal in all that time, then there is no point in changing a set plan. This also regards the mind-sets of those that remain vicimized by the crime. It would be a form of torture, playing cat’nmouse’, for all in a sense. The Governor of Ohio has a duty to the families of the victims to carry out sentences that have been established. He should remain firm in seeing that they are carried out, from a legal and political standpoint.

If lethal injection is the instrument of death, I would like to point out that humans will never be perfect. Mistakes are bound to happen in all fields. If, however, the botched case was not a mistake, then the whole system should be penalized, however, this is just part of life. Mistakes are a fact of life. there is always the moral agruement of who, if anyone, has the right to kill whom, no matter what the weapon or reason. It seems to me that lethal injection is a far cry from the electric chair, and hanging. Firing squad seems to be less cruel than these two methods as it would involve the least amount of time, but injection allows the recipient no pain, in comparrison.

Sally brings up the point of the cost of the entire system. Society pays to keep them alive, fed, clothed, sheltered, and medicated. The issue of poverty in America ‘outside the wall’ is becoming more prevelant. Dollars reach into the millions! If we could only invest this in our young before they reach the desperate measure of criminal life. Our readings emphasize that babies are not born evil. It is largely society on the micro; family, friends (so-called), neighborhood, mezzo, school, town, community, and the macro; economy, policies, etc. which forms and shapes our schemas of the world, and our behaviors and actions are the consequences of all those factors which form us.

Frankly, I think our prison system is quit sophisticated and prisoners are treated well enough on a general basis (I am sure there are mistakes in that as well). I believe it is prisoners who treat prisoners with the violence level they are familiar with, and that is a significant part of the problem, not to mention no purpose otherwise). Again, if we could only intervene while young… I have to wonder, if society locked them up behind four walls, without guards inside, and bars, and left them to thier own devices, with water, seeds and soil, and made them survive, I believe they would form a very different society than gangs in prison. (Didn’t Austrailia start out as Englands criminal jailhouse where they were all sent?) They would have to work together for survival. They might have to work together, they might serve a purpose, and feel self accomplishment and satisfaction of success, if they could do it. Then appreciation for life might sink in. On Sally’s point, we could transfer the $ saved to children in need.

Posted by Sally Ryder
Monday, November 30, 2009 08:10

Govenor Strickland’s decision to reexamine the use of lethal injections is a good idea. Maybe he will read the documents I recently found that showed how expensive death penalty cases can be. It can cost millions of dollars by the time a case has gone through all of the appeals. I used to think it made sense to put some criminals to death rather than spend money providing them room and board and 3 meals a day for the rest of their lives. This was a total waste of money in my mind. But I learned it is cheaper to do this than to go through the efforts of putting someone to death. So Govenor, I suggest you save some money and give up on the lethal injections altogether.