On Friday April 23 Judge Robin Reese signed the death warrant setting the execution of Ronnie Lee Gardner by firing squad for June 18. Gardner’s lawyers have requested a delay of execution pending the newest appeal but there is little evidence to support that this will be granted. I was personally in the courtroom when Gardner audibly held back tears as he stated his preference for the firing squad. This was the most compelling part of the defense as the other information conveyed was worn-out and futile. The defense lawyers at one point had friends and family members of victim, Michael Burdell, proclaim his personal feelings against the death penalty to show that it would not be reparation for the injustice committed. The lawyers were unable to further this point as they failed to effectively answer Judge Reese’s repeated inquiries to whether or not the execution would serve as reparation to society. This case has gathered national news media attention, typically aligned against Utah and its ruling. Although the media may know little about Utah and may present a few falsities, they do provide a lot more support against the death penalty them Utahns themselves. Before the April 23rd hearing a small group of people gathered in the foyer at the Scott Matheson Courthouse to protest the legality and morality of the death penalty. The gathering was poorly attended as the media nearly outnumbered the attendants. Onlookers and courthouse personnel were very unaware of the purpose and unable to hear the speakers.  The morality and justice provided by the death penalty is something to be decided by the State of Utah and/or the U.S. Government. However without effective protest and a much larger alignment against its use, the death penalty will continue to be implemented