Ohio rejects child killer’s organ donation request

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

Ohio says it is denying a condemned child killer’s request to donate organs to family members, a request that halted his execution last year.

A lawyer for the prisons system says death-row inmate Ronald Phillips will not be allowed to donate organs after Sunday, the latest time he could have the surgery and still recuperate in time for his July 2 execution.

Stephen Gray, chief counsel for the Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, said in a letter to Phillips’ attorney Friday the state “fully intends” to carry out Phillips’ execution in July.

Gov. John Kasich delayed the execution of the 40-year-old Phillips last fall for the 1993 rape and killing of Sheila Marie Evans, his girlfriend’s daughter.