Despite mounting concerns over the lethal injection drug combination, a convicted murderer has been given an execution date.
Taberon Dave Honie , 48, found guilty of murdering a 49-year-old woman in 1998, is scheduled to be executed on August 8. Honie, sexually assaulted and killed his ex-girlfriend's mother in front of her three grandkids in 1999.
After decades of failed appeals to remove Honie from death row, a Utah judge has set a date for what will be the state's first public execution since Ronnie Lee Gardner, who was killed by firing squad in 2010. Honie's attorney, Eric Zuckerman, has expressed concern over the "experimental" cocktail of drugs to be used in the upcoming execution.
He argues that his client and team have not been given sufficient time to evaluate the drugs and allow Honie to make an informed decision.
READ MORE: California man caught drenched in blood after 'decapitating parents and dog' and fleeing in golf cart
READ MORE: 'My brother spent 25 years on death row for a triple murder - but I'm proud of him'
Advocates previously pushed for his sentence to be reduced to life without the possibility of parole due to the "adversities" he's faced. Now, they're suing over the drug cocktail.
Two of the three drugs to be used in the lethal injection have been used previously. The pain reliever fentanyl and potassium chloride, which stops the heart, are typically used in the death sentence process.
However, an additional sedative, ketamine, will also be used. To Zuckerman's knowledge, this is the first time it will be used in a public execution in Utah.
Zuckerman stated: "The state has not provided any details about this novel procedure, including the drug doses. And the state says it will not revise its written procedures, making it the only jurisdiction to move forward with an execution without accurate written procedures."
In response, Dan Bokovoy, an attorney for the Department of Corrections, said the state does not require the agency to update protocols.
The legal team of Honie was disappointed after the Utah Attorney General Office's lawyer, Daniel Boyer, argued that he had exhausted his appeal attempts and should be denied further appeals. Judge Jeffrey Wilcox agreed, setting Honie's execution date and citing there are no legal grounds for suspending the sentence.
The Judge stated: "I am not prepared after hearing the arguments today to rule and say that these (lethal injection) protocols are required before this court will sign a writ of execution."
Click here to follow the Mirror US on Google News to stay up to date with all the latest news, sports, and entertainment stories
Judge Wilcox instructed that details about the lethal drugs scheduled to be administered should be provided to Honie immediately. Back in 1999, Honie was found guilty of killing Claudia Benn, aged 49, in an atrocious manner.
He broke into Benn's house through a glass patio door where Benn lived with her daughter and three grandchildren. Honie intensely scarred Benn's throat and was discovered later by law enforcement officers soaked in blood.
His defense attorneys contended that during sentencing, issues concerning his mental health and substance misuse, which could potentially mitigate his punishment, were not raised by previous legal representatives. If lethal injection substances aren't available, Utah offers a grim alternative: firing squads can be used as a second option for carrying out an execution.
Most Popular
Comments / 0