As AG Yost Pushes for More Executions, ACLU of Ohio Urges Gov. DeWine to Use Clemency Powers

Today, Attorney General Dave Yost released the 2025 Capital Crimes Report and, once again, reiterated the call for Ohio to resume executions, despite overwhelming evidence of the flaws and risk of executing innocent people.

April 1, 2026 11:14 am

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COLUMBUS – Today, Attorney General Dave Yost released the 2025 Capital Crimes Report and, This report, required by law, is an annual summary of Ohio’s capital punishment system with information about individuals on death row and the status of their cases if they are under appeal. As Ohio’s chief law enforcement officer strives to end Ohio’s moratorium on executions, the ACLU of Ohio urges Governor DeWine to use his executive powers to grant clemency to individuals on Ohio's death row before it's too late.

  • Two thirds of the electorate (67%) believe it is important for Governor DeWine to commute the sentences of the 27 people scheduled to be executed under the next Governor;
  • 81% support a sentence other than death if the person was under 25 at the time of the crime, which applies to almost 1/3 of the people on Ohio's death row;
  • 82% support a sentence other than death if the person experienced violent abuse or significant trauma in their childhood. Almost half of the people on Ohio's death row have raised issues of childhood trauma and abuse;
  • Nearly two thirds of Ohio voters prefer a sentence other than the death penalty.

“Governor DeWine can and must do more with his clemency powers before his term ends. Clemency is a last resort for people on death row, and there is an extreme urgency for meaningful executive action. We are grateful that no executions have been carried out during Governor DeWine’s time in office, but there is a real opportunity to address Ohio’s broken capital punishment system by reviewing individual cases and commuting sentences before it’s too late,” added Jocelyn Rosnick, Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer for the ACLU of Ohio.

“Public opinion reveals there is strong public support for the commuting of sentences for people on death row. Our polling shows that the death penalty is not something Ohioans embrace,” offered Brian Tringali, Partner at The Tarrance Group.

Governor DeWine has hinted at a forthcoming announcement on his evolved attitude toward capital punishment for almost a year, but Ohioans still await official word on the significance of this statement or potential executive action. With the release of the Capital Crimes Report, and the future risks of executing innocent people, the ACLU of Ohio urges the Governor to use his executive powers now.