In The News 18 April 2026

DeWine issues reprieves for death row prisoners

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued the following reprieves of execution:

James O'Neal, who was scheduled to be executed on August 19, 2026.  The new date of execution has been moved to August 14, 2029.

Jerome Henderson, who was scheduled to be executed on October 21, 2026.  The new date of execution has been moved to September 18, 2029.

Melvin Bonnell, who was scheduled to be executed on November 18, 2026.  The new date of execution has been moved to October 18, 2029.

Governor DeWine is issuing these reprieves due to what he calls ongoing problems involving the willingness of pharmaceutical suppliers to provide drugs to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC), pursuant to DRC protocol, without endangering other Ohioans.

“During my years as attorney general, not a single sentence has been carried out – a mockery of the justice system and of the dead and their families,” Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said. 

“For the worst-of-the-worst killers, Ohio is wandering in a wilderness of lawlessness and desert of justice.”
 

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