Mixed feelings locally on lethal injection

Should Ohio, one of 35 states that currently use some form of lethal injection, be using the death penalty as the ultimate form of punishment?

On Friday some local residents expressed their opinions about that topic.

Anna Koon, 78, of Marietta had some concerns.

"I have mixed feelings," she said. "If they've caused pain and misery to other people, then they should be punished, but sometimes those who have been accused may be innocent.

"I do believe that when criminals receive a life sentence they should be in prison for life, and not be able to get out in 30 years or so," Koon added.

Churchtown resident Jeremy Kern, 20, said it depends on the crime.

"But if it's proven that someone committed murder, especially if they admit to it, then they should receive the death penalty," he said.

Troy Jones, 43, of Williamstown, agreed.

"I think the death penalty is fair if someone is proven guilty of such a crime," he said. "Someone shouldn't be housed and fed with tax dollars if they've done something like that."

Warren Street resident Dee Delancey believes the death penalty is warranted for someone who commits a heinous crime.

"If the courts are sure the person did the crime, then they should be punished," she said. "You hate to have to take anyone's life, but if they've done wrong they should pay the penalty."

It's been two months since Gov. Ted Strickland put a hold on executions in Ohio after prison authorities were unable to administer a triple-drug lethal cocktail to a convicted inmate on Sept. 15.

Now the state Department of Rehabilitation and Correction plans to replace the three-drug cocktail execution with a single strong dose of anesthetic that could have its first test on convicted killer Kenneth Biros.

Biros has admitted to the 1991 murder of 22-year-old Tami Engstrom near Warren, saying he was in a drunken rage.

Acting on information provided by Biros, investigators found parts of Engstrom's dismembered body buried near Masury in northeast Ohio and in areas of northwest Pennsylvania.

Biros' execution is currently scheduled in December. Ohio corrections officials hope to have the new single-dose injection policy in place by Nov. 30.

The Associated Press contributed.

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rikrab
11-21-09 7:54 PM »Report Abuse	thiopental sodium...hope it works without any glitches. Ohio takes the lead.

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