CLEVELAND, OH – Today, the ACLU of Ohio released the following statement regarding federal judge Gregory Frost’s decision to issue a moratorium on all executions to allow time for arguments about the State of Ohio’s new lethal injection procedures.

“Ohio’s temporary moratorium on executions is a step in the right direction of preserving the dignity of our system of justice and our state. In the wake of botched executions, Judge Frost’s decision provides time for thoughtful deliberation of the recent recommendations made by the Death Penalty Task Force and opportunity for legislators to make substantive improvements to our death penalty system. The moratorium will allow administrators to ensure that Ohio’s execution methods are effective and humane, and that they do violate the Constitution.”