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A condemned child murderer in Ohio had one last-minute request before his execution later
this week — to donate his organs to his sick mother and sister.
At first, that request was denied by prison officials who said there was no feasible way
to make that happen while still following security protocol. (Via WTVD)
But late Wednesday — Ohio Governor John Kasich delayed 40-year-old Ronald Phillips'
execution until next summer to give officials more time to investigate whether the organ
donation could happen. (Via Sky News)
Phillips was scheduled to die by an injection of sedative and painkiller that has reportedly
never been used before in a U.S. execution. He was given the death penalty for raping
and killing his girlfriend's 3-year-old daughter back in 1993. (Via WKRC)
His attorneys say the request wasn't a delay tactic and that he was just trying to make
some good come out of his execution. Phillips' mother has kidney disease and is on dialysis,
and his sister has a serious heart condition.
So, why did Phillips wait until 72 hours before his execution date to make this final request?
One of his attorneys says both he and his client were hopeful the case "would go another
way" and had not thought about donating his heart and kidney earlier. (Via WTOL)
Ohio prison officials say it's up to Phillips' family whether his organs are donated after
his death — but it's unclear how viable or safe those organs would be once his body
is eventually given over to them.
"The prison population has a high incidence of infectious diseases. The *** rate is 10
times higher than the general public. Hepatitis C runs up to 30 percent in the prison population."
(Via WTTE)
And no one knew exactly what effect the new combination of drugs being used to end Phillips'
life will have on his organs. (Via WLWT)
Inmates have donated organs in other states — like California — but it's not believed
to have been done yet in Ohio. (Via National Geographic)
Meanwhile — the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports with Phillips' execution postponed — it's
likely Dennis McGuire would become the first person executed using that new lethal-injection
cocktail.