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Ohio Bill: No Page Limit on Post-Trial Death Penalty Appeals
By: Associated Press
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – A bill proposing minor changes to Ohio’s death penalty law clarifies that defense attorneys wouldn’t have a page limit on petitions for post-trial challenges or in their appeals if those challenges are denied.
The change was backed by a majority of members on a state task force that spent over two years studying the state’s three-decade-old capital punishment law.
Prosecutors argue the proposal would lead to some death row inmates expanding already weak claims while delaying courts from hearing legitimate arguments because the system is so clogged up with paperwork.
The Senate Criminal Justice Committee planned to discuss the bill Wednesday and consider possible amendments.
The bill is sponsored by Republican Sen. Bill Seitz of Cincinnati and Democratic Sen. Sandra Williams of Cleveland.