Posts Tagged ‘death penalty’

Couple Sought in Utah Murders

Utah Criminal Defense Blog, on the topic of  Constitutional Rights, Criminal Defense Misc
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A man and woman are on the loose after possibly murdering two Mt. Pleasant residents and allegedly shooting a West Wendover, Nevada woman in the back of the head.

Utah Murders

Mt. Pleasant Police discovered the Fullwood couple dead in their Utah home this past Saturday evening. They died of gunshot wounds, likely Thursday night or early Friday morning. Police believe that the Utah murders occurred as a result of a random robbery, in spite of the fact that the Fullwoods’ son is a police officer with the West Jordan Police Department.

Carjacking and Attempted Murder in Wendover

Investigators also believe that the couple is responsible for a carjacking that occurred early Saturday morning in Wendover. That carjacking ended with the victim escaping alone in her car, only to be shot in the back of the head by one of carjackers. The victim is in the hospital at this time. The couple was able to escape from the Nevada Highway Patrol and is still at large.

Always Keep Your Doors Locked

A Mt. Pleasant resident commented that people in their town are very friendly and not suspicious, and that residents frequently leave their doors open. Let us take the opportunity to remind you that it is important to always be aware of your surroundings and take the time to lock doors and windows behind you, even if you’re at home.

Contact A Utah Criminal Defense Attorney for Help

Utah murders are, of course, extremely serious crimes. Death penalty cases are rare, but still occur. If you are being investigated for a crime, don’t take any chances; contact a Utah criminal defense attorney right away. You need the advice a respected attorney has to offer.

You are not required to discuss your case with the police first. You have the right to talk to an attorney, and you should take full advantage of that opportunity. You may have made past mistakes, but you still deserve the help an experienced criminal defense attorney can provide you. Make that important phone call today.

Utahn Awaiting Sentence for Double Murder

Utah Criminal Defense Blog, on the topic of  Hiring a Lawyer, Utah Crime News
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Christian Sweeten pled guilty to two counts of murder yesterday in a Utah 3rd District courtroom. Originally charged with a capital crime, Sweeten was offered a plea deal by prosecutors which took him from possibly being sentenced to death to the possibility of serving life in prison. Prosecutors have said that they will recommend to the judge that Sweeten go to prison for 2 consecutive 20-year sentences. The judge in the case noted that she is not bound by the plea agreement’s sentencing suggestion. She also stated that if she chooses a different sentence, Sweeten will have the chance to withdraw his plea. Sweeten will be sentenced on September 30.

Events Leading to Murder

At the hearing, Sweeten admitted to shooting the two murder victims. The shooting allegedly occurred after the victims apparently gave him bad directions. Sweeten initially stated that he felt threatened by the two men, but since the victims were shot in the back, prosecutors argued that Sweeten could not have been responding in self defense. Sweeten’s fiancé stated that the two victims fired first, but no weapons were found with the two men who were shot.

First-Degree Murder vs. Aggravated Murder

In Utah, when a person is found guilty of aggravated murder, that individual is then eligible to receive the death penalty. First-degree murder, on the other hand, can send a person to prison for at least five years and possibly for life.

Death Penalty

Many people are death penalty advocates. Perhaps it’s the Biblical “eye for an eye” that they agree with. If you take that view, let’s hope you never find yourself in a tight situation where you make a bad choice. Along with the “eye for an eye” theory, if you hit another car maybe that driver should be allowed to smash into your car for your punishment. Does that seem excessive? Two wrongs don’t generally equal one right.

You may agree with the death penalty or you may think it’s not a civilized choice. The beauty of living in America is that you get to have your opinion. You can even argue your opinion with your legislators. Thankfully, if you get into legal trouble of any kind, you can be represented by a Utah criminal defense attorney who knows the law and will be your advocate in dealing with law enforcement and the judicial system. When you need help, call a Utah criminal defense attorney immediately and get your case on the right track.

Utahn Assigned Defense Team in Death Penalty Case

Utah Criminal Defense Blog, on the topic of  Crimes
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A Southern Utah man was assigned a defense team for the charges brought up against him for the deaths of two women and wounding one man in St. George. Paul Clifford Ashton who is being charged with aggravated murder and attempted aggravated murder. Ashton’s appointed defense attorney “said a mitigation expert would be used during the sentencing phase of the case to determine if there are extenuating circumstances in Ashton’s life that should be taken into consideration and possibly lessen the severity of the sentence.

Professor Lam Li Presents on “The Death Penalty: For and Against?”

Clayton Simms, Criminal Defense Attorney, on the topic of  Constitutional Rights, Legal Process
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Utahns for Alternatives to the Death Penalty would like to keep you apprised of information relevant to the conversation regarding the death penalty.

On Monday, January 24, 2011, UTADP members will have the opportunity to hear a presentation from Professor Li, a Barrister-at-Law of the Supreme Court of Hong Kong. Prof. Li is a Professor of Philosophy at the Chinese Hong Kong University and is currently a Fulbright Senior Scholar at Harvard University. He will be making a presentation in the Hinckley Caucus Room (Room 225 Orsen Spencer Hall) at the University of Utah. His Topic is “The Death Penalty: For and Against?”

The Death Penalty: For and Against
Hon-Lam Li, Professor in the Dept. of Philosophy at the Chinese University of Hong Kong

Date: Monday, January 24, 2011
Time: 10:45 a.m. – 11:35 a.m.
Location: Hinckley Caucus Room, 255 Orsen Spencer Hall,
University of Utah
Cost: Free and open to the public

Death Row Inmates Should Be Allowed to Donate Their Organs

Clayton Simms, Criminal Defense Attorney, on the topic of  Utah Crime Related Videos
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Some legal scholars, law professors and criminal defense attorneys have argued that Death Row Inmates should be allowed to donate their organs when an inmate is executed.

Drug Company Stops the Death Penalty

Jesse Nix, Utah Criminal Defense Lawyer, on the topic of  Utah Crime News
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Hospira Inc. is the company that 35 states use for lethal injections executions.  Because most states now use lethal injection as the preferred method of death penalty, they rely on Hospira to provide them with the sodium thiopental to kill inmates.  However, according to this article in USA today, the company has stopped selling it due to manufacturing problems:

“The sole U.S. manufacturer, Hospira Inc. of Lake Forest, Ill., has blamed the shortage on unspecified problems with its raw-material suppliers and said new batches of sodium thiopental will not be available until January at the earliest.”

Is there a really a manufacturing problem, or is Hospira weary of being the only manufactuer of medicine that kills people.

Jonathan Groner, an Ohio State University surgeon and death penalty opponent who researches the issue, speculated the real reason for the unavailability of sodium thiopental is that its medical uses “have shrunk to the point that the company doesn’t want to make a drug that has no use but to kill people.”

Utah Attorney General’s tweets include the public in Ronnie Lee Gardner’s execution

Jessica, on the topic of  Utah Crime News
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photo: MarkShurtleff Twitter

photo: MarkShurtleff Twitter

Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff’s nod of approval was the final step before the execution of Ronnie Lee Gardner could begin. Shurtleff sat by a phone to make sure that there were no last minute execution stays awarded or appeals recognized. He also apparently sat by a mobile phone which he used to tweet, “I just gave the go ahead to Corrections Direction to proceed with Gardner’s execution.” There has been widespread complaint about his decision to tweet this. However, he was merely trying to use today’s method of communication to share information with the public. Perhaps the disapproval of his decision to tweet about the event represents the public’s disapproval of the death penalty; some people couldn’t shake the feeling of being that close to the execution.

Tailgate in support of Ronnie Lee Gardner commemorates his life.

Jessica, on the topic of  Utah Crime News
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Ronnie Lee Gardner's family outside the Utah State Prison

Ronnie Lee Gardner's family outside the Utah State Prison

I arrived on the hill overlooking the Utah State Prison just in time to see a gorgeous Utah sunset. My view was disrupted by what seemed to be a tailgate, complete with a cooler, smiling faces, and white balloons. Instead, it was a gathering of relatives and friends of Ronnie Lee Gardner to commemorate and support his life during his final minutes. Just past the gathering, sitting on the edge of the hill and gazing at the prison was Gardner’s half-sister Bonnie Knight. She hadn’t seen her brother for 25years, but woke up at dawn to make the drive from Grand Junction, Colorado to support Ronnie Lee.

“They let us get comfortable with him being here  . . . and we didn’t think this day would come,” responded Bonnie to the extensive 25+ year legal process Ronnie Lee endured.  Although Bonnie hasn’t seen her brother for many years, she corresponded though written letters, and spoke fondly of their time as young adults.

Besides commenting on the brutal legal-works and cruelty of keeping a man on death row for more then 25 years, Bonnie also discussed the good Ronnie Lee has done over the latter half of his time spent in prison. She highlighted the plans to continue work on the organic farm Ronnie Lee planned after his execution. With the speed of today’s technology, Bonnie often first discovered news about her half-brother online. She usually found rude and hateful comments following Ronnie Lee stories. Bonnie took to posting replies to some of the comments, but one news organization, The Salt Lake Tribune, barred her from online comments and discussion. Both sides of the story were apparently not shared on such on this site.

In her own life Bonnie has created hope from Ronnie Lee’s condition, and taken to helping individuals recently released from prison. Her organization Freedom House Ministries in Grand Junction, CO uses Christian ideals to help bridge the gap between incarceration and freedom, allowing the released to form a new and law abiding life, minimizing reoffender rates. Bonnie has kept in a positive mind-state about the execution saying, God will forgive him, “I’m praying on it”.

Utah State Capitol Protest Against the Death Penalty is a Good Effort

Jessica, on the topic of  Utah Crime News, Utah Law
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Steps of Utah Capitol Building

Steps of Utah Capitol Building

After seeing the measly, yet noble Utah death penalty protest in the foyer of the Scott Matheson Courthouse in April, tonight’s gathering was extensive and influential. Although the protest was led by the Utahn’s for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, it seemngly would not have occurred without the strong support of students and young adults knowledgeable about protesting. The group’s leader Ralph Dellapiana helped pass out candle’s to commemorate the light inside people; by ending the death penalty in Utah one could save that light inside someone instead of smashing it. However, the beautiful the sight of those candles flickering together and the inspiring speeches and musical selections asking for peace and humanity, will not be enough to end the death penalty in Utah. The group needs more support, and more visibility for their name. It seemed as though the gathering was not important enough to be noticed, as Utah Governor Herbert did not appear to be on location at the time, nor was he even considering a stay of execution.

Will Ronnie Lee Gardner’s choice to fast make his execution quicker?

Jessica, on the topic of  Utah Crime News
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photo: williamcho

photo: williamcho

One thing witnesses at tonight’s execution of Ronnie Lee Gardner might keep in their mind for a long time: Gardner’s growling stomach. Ronnie Lee has chosen to fast for the 48hours leading up to his execution, occurring shortly after midnight tonight. He wisely chose a large meal on Tuesday night of steak, lobster, apple pie a la mode, and some bubbling 7-up to ready himself for this task. Although the fasting may not interfere with his execution it may have played some part if Gardner has chosen to die by lethal injection, a method that takes many precautions to assure the effectiveness and “humaneness” of the lethal drugs.