USA - Ohio. Federal judge Gregory Frost OKs new Ohio death penalty rules.

Federal judge Gregory Frost OKs new Ohio death penalty rules. Frost backed new death penalty practices enacted in Ohio in response to concerns over inconsistent practices earlier this year, clearing the way for the execution of Reginald Brooks, 66, black. Brooks had sought to stop his execution set for November 15, challenging Ohio death penalty practices after U.S. District Judge Gregory Frost indefinitely stayed another inmate's execution in July, ruling that Ohio's execution rules were enforced inconsistently. The judge had complained the state was paying only "lip service" to its own standards, and expressed concerns on following formal procedures for preparing the drugs used in lethal injections, documenting the process and following checks and balances to reduce human errors. Ohio has not executed anyone since Frost stayed the execution of Kenneth Smith on July 8 (see), instead issuing revised practices in September that it said addressed the concerns. Since the judge's ruling, Ohio Governor John Kasich has granted stays of execution on August 15 (see) and on September 2 (see) citing the ruling. "With some caution, the court today reaches the conclusion that the state of Ohio has apparently learned the lessons of its prior embarrassments and corrected its course," Frost wrote in a 24-page opinion. (For Frost’s latest decisions, see July 8)