After Charlie Kirk killed, Ohio lawmakers to consider harsher political violence penalties

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A pair of Ohio lawmakers are attempting to increase the penalties for politically motivated violence following the death of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. 

On Wednesday, Reps. Jack Daniels (R-New Franklin) and Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Township) introduced House Bill 457, which would classify murder motivated by a victim or offender’s political beliefs as aggravated murder – the most serious homicide charge in Ohio. The proposal would also mandate a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole and leave the door open for the death penalty, according to a news release.

“We must honor Charlie’s memory not with silence, but with action,” Williams said in a statement. “Violence based on political beliefs is a direct threat to our democracy, and this legislation ensures that such violence is punished to the fullest extent of the law.”

Currently, Ohio does not have a law specifically addressing politically motivated murder. Those who commit such a crime in the state would likely already face an aggravated murder charge, which is punishable by the death penalty or life in prison; however, an offender can be granted parole after at least 20 years depending on the crime’s circumstances and a judge’s sentence.

The bill would also establish a political motivation specification that can be tacked onto any violent felony, which would require the maximum sentence for the original offense and an additional 10 years of imprisonment. 

The legislation comes in response to multiple recent politically-motivated attacks, including the assassination of Kirk, who was shot in front of a large crowd while speaking at Utah Valley University earlier this month. It was also prompted by the June killings of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, who was a Democrat, and her husband.

“Political violence is unacceptable in all circumstances – whether directed at elected officials, staff, journalists or activists peacefully exercising their First Amendment rights,” Daniels said in a statement. “This bill sends a clear message: Violence has no place in our politics.”

HB 457 awaits a committee assignment and its first hearing. Nine Republicans are cosponsoring the bill.

Williams, alongside Rep. Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus), also introduced a bill earlier this year that would classify a crime motivated by a victim’s political affiliation as a hate crime.