COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – A man who raped and killed a three-year-old girl in 1993 wants Ohio to delay his Nov. 14 execution.
Ronald Phillips would be the first death row prisoner in the U.S. to receive a never tried, two-drug lethal injection, and his lawyers say more evidence needs to be gathered. They want his Nov. 14 execution postponed to give them time to prepare arguments against the new execution method.
Columbus judge Gregory Frost on Thursday approved Phillips’ testimony by video ahead of the Friday morning hearing.
Frost originally granted a request for Phillips to appear in person, then switched to a video appearance once it appeared the courtroom technology would make it possible.
The state had opposed Phillips’ personal appearance, asking Frost to consider the expense and security involved in transporting a death row inmate to a hearing.