Developments in Ohio
Ohio Death Penalty Information is doing an excellent job keeping up with what may be a changing landscape in the Buckeye state. Specific posts are here and here.
The Athens News in Ohio has an article, "Is lethal injection barbaric? Ohio revisits the ethics of executions."
When Jonathan Groner put his dog to sleep, he knew the procedure would be quick and painless. He said he trusted the veterinarian because she euthanizes dogs daily, and he thought the procedure would be humane since dogs lack a perception of time. On the other hand, he said, there is no humane way to kill a human.
Since the botched execution of Joseph Clark in May 2006, critics of Ohio's lethal-injection protocol have been pointing toward the risk of torture in the execution chamber if a licensed anesthesiologist is not present.
"A humane execution is the ultimate paradox," said Groner at his Columbus Children's Hospital office. The doctor of pediatric surgery and associate professor at Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health said he was troubled to see how the rise in Ohio executions was accompanied by the belief that the process of lethal injection was not controversial. He drew a parallel between the medical community's involvement in lethal injection procedures in the U.S. and concentration camp euthanasia programs in Nazi Germany (see sidebar interview).
The dilemma is this: In order to execute people without "inflicting torture," the state would have to employ licensed doctors to administer the chemical cocktail. But medical professionals are bound to an oath to do no harm, and are ethically unable to participate in executions.
Groner refers to this vicious circle as the "executioners' paradox." He believes that, ultimately, Ohio may have no choice but to halt executions and review its stance on the death penalty.
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