Death penalty opponent portrayed in 1995 movie urges Ohio to ban capital punishment

Sister Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking.

COLUMBUS— A Roman Catholic nun who's a prominent opponent of the death penalty has urged Ohio to end capital punishment.

Sister Helen Prejean came to Columbus on Tuesday, the same day Ohio put to death a man who fatally shot his three sons as they slept in 1982. The execution of 66-year-old Reginald Brooks was the state's first after an unofficial six-month moratorium.

Multiple news outlets report Prejean spoke in support of a bill that would ban capital punishment in Ohio. She said the state can be safe without killing.

The nun also supports an effort by some lawmakers to stop executions while a state task force studies whether the death penalty is being administered fairly.

Prejean was portrayed by Susan Sarandon in the Oscar-winning 1995 movie "Dead Man Walking."