In this undated photo released by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction shows Ronald Phillips. Phillips, a death row inmate who raped and killed his girlfriend's 3-year-old daughter, wants his upcoming execution delayed while he fights the state's newly announced — and never tried — lethal injection process. (AP Photo/Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction) (The Associated Press)
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio is opposing a condemned child killer's request to attend a court hearing over the state's plan to use a never-tried lethal drug combination on him next month.
Lawyers for death row inmate Ronald Phillips say he needs to be at Friday's hearing in federal court in Columbus to testify.
Attorneys for the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction question that need.
They also say Judge Gregory Frost should consider the expense and security involved in transporting a death row inmate to a hearing.
Phillips is suing over the state's adoption of a combination method of a sedative and painkiller for his Nov. 14 execution.
The 40-year-old Phillips was sentenced to die for raping and killing 3-year-old Sheila Marie Evans in 1993.
Death row prisoners typically don't attend such hearings.
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