Ohio's death penalty review committee, convened by chief justice, meeting for 1st time

A committee charged with examining possible changes to Ohio's death penalty law meets the 1st time this week.

Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor has convened the task force while making it clear the committee won't debate whether Ohio should have capital punishment.

The committee, to meet publicly on Thursday at the Ohio State Bar Association, includes veteran prosecutors who have long supported the death penalty, along with defense attorneys who have fought its imposition.

The committee also includes judges, lawmakers, a sheriff, academic experts and a representative of the state prison system.

O'Connor, a Republican and a former prosecutor, has said the committee's goal is to produce a fair, impartial, and balanced analysis of the state's 30-year-old law.

Source: Associated Press, October 31, 2011