COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has once again extended the state’s unofficial moratorium on the death penalty as he announced a delay for three executions that were set for this year.
This decision was made public on Thursday and comes amid ongoing challenges in obtaining the necessary drugs for lethal injections, which pharmaceutical companies have been reluctant to provide.

In light of these circumstances, President Trump had previously issued an executive order in January that instructed Attorney General Pam Bondi to assist states in addressing the drug procurement issue. Despite these efforts, Governor DeWine has expressed skepticism about resuming executions during his term, which is set to continue until 2026.

The three executions that have been rescheduled include Percy Hutton, whose execution date has changed from June 18, 2025, to June 21, 2028; Samuel Moreland, now moved from July 30, 2025, to July 19, 2028; and Douglas Coley, whose date has shifted from September 24, 2025, to August 15, 2028.