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Japan | Hakamada found religion, but then felt under attack by ‘the devil’

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Editor's note: This is the last in a four-part series on letters that Iwao Hakamada wrote while on death row. About a decade after cursing God, Iwao Hakamada was baptized Catholic at the Tokyo Detention House on Dec. 24, 1984. “Since I have been given the Christian name Paul, I am keenly feeling that I should be aware of the greatness of Paul.” (June 1985)

Ohio: McGuire family attorney files suit to stop death penalty

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Dennis McGuire
DAYTON — A Dayton law firm said it will file a federal lawsuit on behalf of the family of executed killer Dennis McGuire. They are seeking an injunction on the death penalty in Ohio claiming the execution of McGuire violated the eighth amendment of the U.S. constitution that prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.

Attorney Jon Paul Rion was joined by the son and daughter of McGuire Friday morning. McGuire was executed Thursday at the Southern Ohio Correctional Institution after receiving intravenous injections of a pair of chemicals that had not previously been used in executions. His death took much longer than past executions and brought immediate claims of cruelty.

McGuire laid still for about five minutes after the drugs were administered, then his body started convulsing in an apparent attempt to breathe. The breaths ranged from shallow to a violent, raspy snore. The snorts were so loud his daughter covered her ears.

" It was the most awful moment in my life to witness my dad's execution," said McGuire's son, Dennis D. McGuire. "I can't think of any other way to describe it than torture."

McGuire was convicted of the 1989 rape and slaying of pregnant Preble County resident Joy Stewart.

Source: Dayton Daily News, January 17, 2014


Ohians To Stop Executions Press Release

This morning at 10:53 Dennis McGuire was pronounced dead at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville. As customary, the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction called me to inform OTSE of the time of death. My phone rang at 10:56 am.

The initial reports were that Mr. McGuire died peacefully. However, we now understand that to be incorrect.

The Columbus Dispatch is reporting that Mr. McGuire struggled for air, just as attorneys arguing on McGuire's behalf opposing the use of the new, experimental chemicals warned would happen:

After being injected at 10:29 a.m., about four minutes later McGuire started struggling and gasping loudly for air, making snorting and choking sounds which lasted for at least 10 minutes. His chest heaved and his left fist clenched as deep, snorting sounds emanated from his mouth.

Ohio's new execution process became a little more transparent today. But we already know that the method of HOW we kill prisoners is not the point. It's that we kill them when we don't need to. Our state is no better off today for Dennis McGuire's death by suffocation.

Our hearts go out to the families of Joy Stewart and Dennis McGuire. We should also keep those in mind who witnessed the suffocation death of Dennis McGuire. They undoubtedly had a traumatic experience in Lucasville.

I encourage you to write a short letter to Governor Kasich to let him know your thoughts on today's events at Lucasville. His mailing address is:

Governor John R. Kasich
Riffe Center, 30th Floor
77 S. High Street
Columbus, OH 43215.
USA
Governor of Ohio Website: Contact the Governor

We will keep you informed of developments as they happen.

Kevin Werner
Executive Director
614-560-0654

(Source: Ohians To Stop Executions)
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