November 13— Governor Kasich announced that he will temporarily stay the execution of Ronald Phillips. Mr. Phillips was scheduled to be executed tomorrow, November 14 at 10:00 a.m. for the murder of Sheila Marie Evans.
Mr. Phillips requested that his organs be donated to his ailing sister and mother after the execution was complete. Governor Kasich issued the stay to explore the possibility of organ donation.
In a statement released earlier, Governor Kasich said, “I realize this is a bit of uncharted territory for Ohio, but if another life can be saved by his willingness to donate his organs and tissues then we should allow for that to happen.”
Kevin Werner, executive director of Ohioans to Stop Executions, said, “The only predictable thing about Ohio’s death penalty is that it is unpredictable.”
Questions remain about the next step. To read the Columbus Dispatch piece of the stay of execution, click here.