Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins spent part of his week in Columbus, appearing before the Ohio Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday, giving reasons why he believes the state death penalty law should remain in place.
Watkins spoke for about 20 minutes during the hearing, speaking out about Senate Bill 101 which would abolish Ohio’s death penalty law.
According to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction website, capital punishment has been a part of Ohio’s justice system since 1803. Between 1803 and 1885, executions were carried out by public hanging where the crime happened. In 1885, a law was passed requiring executions to happen at the Ohio Penitentiary in Columbus…