COLUMBUS, Ohio — A hearing on whether Ohio can try a second time to execute a killer has ended early with a judge saying arguments can be made through court filings.
Judge Gregory Frost said Wednesday it appeared death row inmate Romell Broom’s arguments were limited to a narrow legal question.
Frost’s decision cancelled what was expected to be a couple of days of testimony, including a discussion of how much pain Broom suffered during a botched execution try in September when executioners couldn’t insert a needle despite trying for two hours.
The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday there was not evidence that the state’s new backup execution method could cause severe pain in violation of the U.S. Constitution.
Frost says he doesn’t believe Broom’s lawyers could overcome that ruling.