Old School, baby. . .
Gardner to die by firing squad on June 18
A state judge on Friday signed a warrant ordering that Ronnie Lee Gardner be put to death on June 18, setting the stage for Utah's first execution in more than a decade.
The condemned man chose firing squad over lethal injection as the way he will die. Department of Corrections officials will choose the time of the execution, which will take place at the Utah State Prison in Draper.
Third District Judge Robin Reese signed the warrant, saying, "The defendant has exhausted all his legal remedies."
"It's my conclusion not to second-guess the courts or undertake an independent review," he said.
Reese then said he assumed Gardner would want the method of execution he had chosen previously, to which Gardner, who appeared in court shackled and under heavy guard, said, "I would like the firing squad, please."
Defense attorney Andrew Parnes said he would appeal to the Utah Supreme Court on Gardner's behalf. Gardner could also ask the Board of Pardons and Parole to reduce his sentence to life in prison, a request that must be made by May 4.
The board can temporarily stop an execution to "fully hear" a commutation request, but attorneys for the state have said they believe there will be enough time for a hearing without a delay. At a hearing, witnesses testify for or against a life sentence. Neither side is allowed to cross-examine the other party's witnesses, but the five board members can question them.
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