April 17, 2026

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)— Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued the following reprieves of execution:

O’Neal, Henderson and Bonnell
  • James O’Neal, who was scheduled to be executed on August 19, 2026.  The new date of execution has been moved to August 14, 2029.
  • Jerome Henderson, who was scheduled to be executed on October 21, 2026.  The new date of execution has been moved to September 18, 2029.
  • Melvin Bonnell, who was scheduled to be executed on November 18, 2026.  The new date of execution has been moved to October 18, 2029.

Governor DeWine is issuing these reprieves due to ongoing problems involving the willingness of pharmaceutical suppliers to provide drugs to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC), pursuant to DRC protocol, without endangering other Ohioans.

According to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Corrections website there are 108 inmates on Death Row.

The most recent execution in Ohio took place on July 18, 2018. On that date, Robert J. Van Hook was put to death by lethal injection for the murder. That execution was carried out at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Scioto County, near Lucasville.