Honie to be executed

As the execution of Taberon Honie approaches, anti-death penalty group Death Penalty Action has rallied in Utah, presenting petitions to Governor Spencer Cox urging for a halt to the execution set for midnight Thursday. Although the governor cannot commute sentences, the group argues against capital punishment amid calls for reform, highlighting systemic issues within the justice system. Some legislators, like former Representative Lowry Snow, criticize the financial burden of the death penalty, while others, like Representative Jeff Burton, argue it serves as a crime deterrent. Victim advocates have also voiced their opinions; some oppose the death penalty for personal reasons, while others support the execution of Honie, convicted of murdering Claudia Benn. Discussions around the implications of the death penalty are rekindled in the community, emphasizing the need for continuous dialogue on the issue, especially given the rarity of executions in Utah. The event at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church was aimed at educating attendees about the death penalty's impact and encouraging open discussions before the scheduled execution.