Utah debates whether or not death penalty should remain

As we approach the first execution in Utah in over fourteen years, many are debating if the death penalty should even be an option.

Previous Utah Representative Lowry Snow spoke to KSL TV’s Lindsay Aerts. He says it costs way too much time and money and yields very few results.

“For a 20 year period, with respect to death penalty sentences imposed… It was $40 million and within that period an execution never occurred,” Snow said. 

Snow does not think that changes to the death penalty are at the top of the legislature’s list any time soon. But, he says that could change.

On the flip side, current Utah Representative Jeff Burton says the death penalty is a crime deterrent and a way to bring justice to families.

“Having been in the law enforcement community I can tell you that I’ve talked to people who say that it was a deterrent for them when thinking about doing a particular crime.” 

He says having the death penalty also acts as a leverage to actually find the remains of victims “who the perpetrator would not disclose,” he said. 

Read more: 

• Commutation hearing for Taberon Honie focuses on generational trauma
• Judge dismisses lawsuit filed by attorneys of Taberon Honie