Ohio Governor Quietly Granted Mercy Before Plea to End Death Penalty

Ohio Governor Grants Mercy to Man on Death Row for First Time

When Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine called on lawmakers to abolish the state’s death penalty last week, he wouldn’t tell reporters if he would spare any of the more than 100 people on death row. Three weeks earlier, however, DeWine quietly did just that for Gregory Lott, a man with intellectual disabilities. Lott, now 64, will […] The post Ohio Governor Grants Mercy to Man on Death Row for First Time appeared first on Cleveland Scene.

Ohio Governor Quietly Granted Mercy Before Plea to End Death Penalty

Weeks before calling to abolish capital punishment in Ohio, Gov. Mike DeWine commuted the man’s death sentence to life in prison without parole.

Ohio governor grants mercy to man on death row for first time

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine speaks at a news conference on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Patrick Aftoora-Orsagos) This article was published in partnership with The Marshall Project – Cleveland, a nonprofit news team covering Ohio’s criminal justice systems. Sign up for their Cleveland newsletter and Facebook Group, and follow The Marshall Project on Instagram, Reddit and YouTube. When Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine called on lawmakers t…