AP: Ohio refining execution policies

COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine says the state prison system is updating its execution policies according to a judge’s recent order.

DeWine says that he believes the current system is constitutional but that the state wants to make the procedures better.

DeWine told The Associated Press today that even if the procedures pass muster with U.S. District Judge Gregory Frost, there are no plans to withdraw an appeal pending before the U.S. Supreme Court.

DeWine said there are large constitutional issues that the high court must decide.

Judge Frost today delayed next month’s scheduled execution while the debate over recent variations to the execution policies is resolved.

The Ohio prisons system could not immediately comment on the types of refinements being made.