The Utah Board of Pardon and Parole has agreed to hold a two-day hearing for Ronnie Lee Gardner, to determine if should receive clemency. The hearing is set for June 10-11; Gardner’s execution date is June 18, and he has chosen the firing squad as the method with which he wants to be killed.
Family and friends of the victim oppose the execution and are expected to participate in the hearing and urge the Board to grant clemency. The Board will also hear expert testimony about Gardner’s dysfunctional background – evidence that was not fully presented to the jury.
Amnesty International welcomes the Board’s decision to hold this hearing, and urges the Board to grant clemency.