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As Expected, Utah Governor Signs Measure Banning Firing Squads
AP ^
| Mar.16, 2004
Posted on 03/16/2004 8:35:42 PM PST by nuconvert
As Expected, Utah Governor Signs Measure Banning Firing Squads
Mar 16, 2004
By Paul Foy/ Associated Press Writer
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Gov. Olene Walker has done away with firing squads in Utah, leaving injection as the only method for executing condemned killers. The Utah Legislature passed the measure late last month, and Walker had said she intended to sign it. She did so Monday without comment.
Lawmakers have said the elimination of firing squads will deny killers the chance to go out in a blaze of glory. Despite the measure's passage, the state will make allowance for four death row inmates who have already chosen to die in a hail of bullets.
Since the Supreme Court reinstated capital punishment in 1976, two people in the United States have died by firing squad, both in Utah: Gary Gilmore in 1977 and John Albert Taylor in 1996. Taylor's execution drew more than 150 TV crews from around the world.
A relic of its territorial days, Utah's firing squads employ five riflemen, one of whom shoots a blank so that none will know who fired the lethal shots.
Idaho and Oklahoma retain the firing squad on their books but have not used it in modern times.
TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: execution; firingsquad; utah
1
posted on
03/16/2004 8:35:43 PM PST
by
nuconvert
To: nuconvert
Gov. Olene Walker has done away with firing squads in Utah, leaving injection as the only method for executing condemned killers. Couldn't a firing squad be considered a means of administering a lethal dose of lead?
2
posted on
03/16/2004 8:43:27 PM PST
by
Paleo Conservative
(Do not remove this tag under penalty of law.)
To: nuconvert
I'm shocked by this news. It just blows me away. Well, can't hang around here all night.
3
posted on
03/16/2004 8:44:07 PM PST
by
Kirkwood
(Its always a good time to donate to the DAV and USO.)
To: Kirkwood
Hit the switch when you leave,.....
4
posted on
03/16/2004 8:47:35 PM PST
by
nuconvert
(CAUTION: I'm an acquaintance of someone labelled "an obstinate supporter of dangerous fantasies")
To: nuconvert
Taking the fun out of executions
5
posted on
03/16/2004 8:48:22 PM PST
by
GeronL
(http://www.ArmorforCongress.com......................Send a Freeper to Congress!)
To: GeronL
There's still a chance the guillotine can make a comeback.
6
posted on
03/16/2004 8:53:46 PM PST
by
squidly
(I have always felt that a politician is to be judged by the animosity he excites among his opponents)
To: squidly
When the Muslims take over Euro-Peonland they will be happy to discover the guillotine and use it on the crusaders.
7
posted on
03/16/2004 8:55:50 PM PST
by
GeronL
(http://www.ArmorforCongress.com......................Send a Freeper to Congress!)
To: nuconvert
I think the condemned should be able too chose their own means of execution, like they can chose their last meals.
8
posted on
03/16/2004 8:57:35 PM PST
by
Igraine
To: nuconvert
I guess, one ought to short blindfold stocks (and maybe cigarette.)
9
posted on
03/16/2004 9:00:44 PM PST
by
Doctor Stochastic
(Vegetabilisch = chaotisch is der Charakter der Modernen. - Friedrich Schlegel)
To: nuconvert
Well, I for one agree.
I think it's way too painless.
I'm all in favor of public hangings, and leaving the body there until it falls apart, as a reminder to the would be evil ones among us.
Nothing is too good for child molesters/murderers
10
posted on
03/17/2004 2:50:00 AM PST
by
EEDUDE
(Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.)
Comment #11 Removed by Moderator
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