By Tracie Sullivan, Iron County Today
After 25 years on death row, 48-year-old Taberon Honie is scheduled for execution on August 8, following a recent ruling by 5th District Judge Jeffrey C. Wilcox.
After more than an hour of intense legal arguments, Wilcox’s decision marks the end of a long series of appeals and legal battles for Honie. Presiding over the hearing in the Cedar City courtroom, Wilcox ultimately sided with prosecutors, concluding that there were no legal grounds to continue the stay of execution.
“The law requires me to sign both the warrant of execution and an order of delivery of the warrant of execution,” Wilcox said, thus setting the stage for Utah’s first execution in over a decade.
Details of the Case
Honie was sentenced to death in 1999 for the brutal murder of Claudia Benn, a substance abuse counselor and mother of his ex-girlfriend.
The crime occurred on July 9, 1998, when Honie forcibly entered Benn’s Cedar City home, where she was watching her grandchildren, and violently attacked her. Police found Honie covered in blood, confessing to the murder upon their arrival.
Despite multiple appeals on various grounds, including ineffective defense and claims of unconstitutional execution methods, Honie’s conviction and death sentence have been upheld.
The case was initially tried by then Iron County Attorney Scott Burns, who appeared in court Monday to hear the judge’s ruling. Several attempts to contact Burns for comment went unanswered.
Concerns Over New Lethal Injection Protocol
Honie’s defense attorney, Eric Zuckerman, has since announced plans to appeal the ruling, citing significant concerns about the state’s newly announced lethal injection protocol.
The Utah Department of Corrections recently decided to use a drug combination of ketamine, fentanyl, and potassium chloride, a mix that has not been used before in executions. This has raised alarms among human rights advocates, who fear that the experimental nature of the protocol could lead to inhumane outcomes.
Zuckerman argues that the state has not provided sufficient information about the new drug protocol, including exact dosages and administration procedures, which he claims is unprecedented and unconstitutional.
He has called for a thorough judicial review before any execution proceeds, emphasizing that Honie’s right to an informed choice about his method of execution has been compromised.
Despite these concerns, the UDC has stated it will proceed with the planned drug combination, citing recommendations from medical professionals.
Iron County Attorney Chad Dotson however, said it is unlikely that the execution will be stopped on that basis.
“He has exhausted all of his appeals,” Dotson said. “Utah law states he can appeal the case for several different reasons, which he has done. But the state has the right to change the prescription protocol and I don’t think that would give him grounds to appeal the ruling.”
Execution Logistics
The execution is planned to take place at the Utah State Correctional Facility in Salt Lake City. This is the first time an execution has been held in the new facility that was opened in 2022.
The chamber is a room measuring 24 feet by 38 feet and is fitted with curtains to cover the windows in the adjacent witness rooms. The windows are complete with reflective glass to both protect the identities of the witnesses.
Honie may request up to five individuals to witness the execution, including religious representatives, friends, and family. However, the Utah Department of Corrections (UDC) has discretion whether to grant the request.
The condemned will be contacted by officials for instructions on how to dispose of his personal property and any funds remaining in his inmate account. Organ donation is not an option for condemned inmates.
According to a press release issued by the UDC there will also be staging locations for demonstrators outside the prison, whether in favor of or against capital punishment.
Honie will have the opportunity to choose his last meal, select the witnesses to his execution, and make a final statement.
Honie’s execution is the first in Utah since 2010 when Ronnie Lee Gardner became the third person to be executed by firing squad since the 1970s.