Executed
Robert Van Hook
Robert Van Hook, 58, was put to death by lethal injection at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville, Ohio, on July 17, 2018. On that day he spent time with family, talked, listened to music, received communion and performed a Buddhist chant with a friend. His defense argued for his life, citing childhood abuse he had suffered, but the parole board and the governor declined to grant clemency. Protesters gathered in Lucasville, Columbus and other Ohio cities, and an anti-death-penalty group criticized the execution.
Cause of death, as reported: Executed by the state. His defense argued for his life, citing childhood abuse, and an anti-death-penalty group criticized the execution.
Reported by: news reports of the execution.