Romell Broom
Romell Broom

Ohio's Death Penalty Procedures Under Review

Tuesday,  October 20, 2009 4:09 PM

Video
COLUMBUS, Ohio — After the botched execution of Romell Broom, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections is working on what could be sweeping changes to its lethal injection process, 10TV's John Fortney reported on Tuesday.

Broom, who was sentenced to die for raping and killing a 14-year-old girl 1984, received a stay of execution after the execution team was unable to find suitable veins.  The case has sparked a comprehensive review of Ohio's lethal injection process.

Now, a federal judge has that duty on his docket all while the ODRC is in the middle of making changes.

10TV News has learned those modifications could include changing to a single drug injection from the current three, and it could also change how the injection is given.

"So we are looking at different means alternate and backup means of lethal injection procedures," said ODRC's Julie Walburn. "We do hope to have any revisions or any changes to the execution protocol by the end of this year."

When and if Ohio does change the lethal injection process could potentially change it for every state in the U.S., Fortney reported.

Broom has a Dec. 9 hearing regarding the stay of execution originally granted by Judge Gregory Frost.

At that hearing Frost will determine whether a new execution date should be set.

"It's not a matter of whether or not the execution is going to occur it's a matter of what protocol we're going to use with regard to the execution itself," Frost said.

In an order filed Monday, Frost said both sides need more time before bringing the battle over the state's lethal injection system to court.

Frost postponed a hearing set for next month until July 2010, Fortney reported.

Two other death row inmates are linked to what happened with Broom's case - Lawrence Reynolds, and Ken Biros.

All have received stays while the lethal injection process is reviewed.

Stay with 10TV.com and refresh 10TV.com for the latest information.

Previous Stories: 

October 19, 1009 : Hearing On Constitutionality Of Death Penalty Postponed
September 18, 2009:  Court Temporarily Halts Second Execution Attempt

Sign Up For Free E-Mail Alerts