ACLU urges Ohio governor to halt executions after condemned man's death takes 26 minutes
1/20/2014CLEVELAND — A civil-rights organization is asking Ohio Gov. John Kasich to immediately halt executions after a condemned inmate gasped and snorted last week as an untested drug combination was used to put him to death.
The ACLU of Ohio made its request to Kasich on Sunday, noting Ohio has five upcoming executions scheduled.
Death row inmate Dennis McGuire made loud snorting noises Thursday during the longest execution since Ohio resumed capital punishment in 1999. McGuire’s adult children said it amounted to torture and his family says they’re suing.
McGuire’s attorney and an anti-death penalty group urge a moratorium.
The 53-year-old McGuire was sentenced to die for raping and fatally stabbing a pregnant woman in 1989.
Kasich’s spokesman says the governor supports the death penalty and the procedure is being reviewed.