Ronnie Lee Gardner

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Utah Aims to Bring Back Firing Squads

State wants backup method in case of drug shortages

(Newser) - Utah—the only state to have executed somebody by firing squad this century—is talking about bringing back the execution method it recently phased out. A bill to use firing squads when drugs for lethal injections can't be obtained sailed through a legislative committee and will be before the...

Is Death by Firing Squad the Way to Go?
 Is Death by 
 Firing Squad 
 the Way to Go? 
death penalty debate
Jun 19, 2010 5:30 PM CDT

Is Death by Firing Squad the Way to Go?

Or is lethal injection better?

(Newser) - Convicted murder Ronnie Lee Gardner was executed by firing squad just after midnight yesterday—at his own request. Did he make the right choice? Though the method may sound gory—Gardner was strapped into a chair with a mesh seat to allow the blood to drain through—it's not...

Utah AG Tweets Execution News

Critics find social media approach disrespectful

(Newser) - Today's execution of Ronnie Lee Gardner —the first by firing squad in 14 years—was also likely the first execution announced on Twitter, Mashable reports. Utah AG Mark Shurtleff tweeted about the event: “I just gave the go ahead to Corrections Director to proceed with Gardner’s execution....

Utah Firing Squad Executes Inmate

No reprieve for Ronnie Lee Gardner

(Newser) - Ronnie Lee Gardner became the first American executed by firing squad in the 21st century at just after midnight in a Utah prison. The convicted killer was strapped into a chair and five police marksmen fired at a target on his chest, AP reports. One gun was loaded with an...

Victim's Family Aims to Block Killer's Execution

Kin: Slain lawyer 'didn't support death penalty'

(Newser) - A murder victim's loved ones are fighting to spare the life of the man who killed him. Ronnie Lee Gardner is due to die by firing squad in Utah next month for attorney Michael Burdell's murder, but the victim's father, former girlfriend, and close friend will testify on the killer's...

Condemned Killer Opts for Execution by Firing Squad

Ronnie Lee Gardner set to die June 18 after 25-year legal battle

(Newser) - A Utah man convicted in the 1985 murder of a lawyer has exhausted his legal options and will be executed in June—by a firing squad. Ronnie Lee Gardner, who was attempting to escape from a courthouse in Salt Lake City when he shot and killed Michael Burdell, said he...

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