Ohio postpones eight executions amid row

Ohio Governor John Kasich has delayed eight upcoming executions amid a row over the legality of the state's execution process.

Earlier this year a magistrate judge declared as unconstitutional a three-drug process the state had proposed, but Ohio is appealing.

The judge banned the use of drugs that paralyse inmates and stop their hearts, but lawyers for the state said they were unable to find a willing supplier.

One prisoner was set to die next week.

Ronald Phillips was scheduled to be executed on 15 February for raping and killing his girlfriend's three-year-old daughter, but that has now been pushed back to 10 May.

Governor Kasich explained that the legal challenge necessitated the delay, but that he is confident that the state will win the appeal, and resume with the scheduled executions.

"These delays are necessary to allow the judicial process to come to a full resolution, and ensure that the state can move forward with the executions after the appeal is settled," Mr Kasich said.

The US Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati will hear arguments on 21 February.

Credit: The BBC