Ohio Governor Postpones Execution of Inmate Who Wants to Donate Organs

Convicted child-killer Ronald Phillips was in the Death House and had ordered his last meal when he got the word yesterday: Gov. John Kasich had postponed his execution set for today to determine whether his “nonvital” organs could be harvested as he requested.

His execution now is scheduled for July 2.

“His first words were, ‘God is good.’ He feels immense gratitude to the governor,” said Tim Sweeney, the condemned man’s Cleveland attorney.

Kasich’s action is unprecedented in the nation in the case of an imminent execution, a death-penalty expert said.

The Republican governor said he halted Phillips’ execution “so that medical experts can assess whether Phillips’ nonvital organs or tissues can be donated to his mother or possibly others.”