Ohio death row inmate who survived 2009 execution dies of COVID-19
A convicted murderer who survived his attempted execution in 2009 died of COVID-19 behind bars.
Romell Broom, 64, died Monday from complications from a “probable” coronavirus case, Department of Rehabilitation and Correction spokesperson Sara French said Tuesday.
At least 124 inmates in Ohio have died from confirmed or probable cases of the coronavirus so far. One death row inmate is currently positive and 55 others have since recovered from positive diagnoses.
Broom was convicted of raping and murdering 14-year-old Tryna Middleton after abducting her in Cleveland in 1984 while she was walking home.
He was sentenced to death and scheduled for execution in September 2009, but officials were unable to find a usable vein after more than two hours and almost 20 attempts that left him crying in pain.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine delayed three scheduled executions, including Broom’s, in April due to the state’s inability to get the lethal drugs needed and called on officials to find a new method.
With News Wire Services
