Utah executes convicted killer Taberon Honie
Aug 8, 2024, 6:25 AM
Utah Department of Corrections spokesperson Karen Tapahe announces that the execution of Taberon Honie was carried out at the Utah State Correctional Facility in Salt Lake City early Thursday. (Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News)
(Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — The state of Utah executed Taberon Dave Honie by lethal injection just after midnight Thursday, 25 years after he was convicted of brutally killing his ex-girlfriend’s mother in front of her three granddaughters.
Corrections officials announced at 12:30 a.m. that the execution had successfully occurred.
At 12:03 a.m., Honie gave his final statement. “From the start it’s been — if it needs to be done for them to heal, let’s do this. If they tell you you can’t change, don’t listen to them. To all my brothers and sisters here, continue to change. I love you all. Take care.”
Seven media witnesses representing local news organizations, including KSL.com, were present in the viewing chamber, and held a 2 a.m. press conference to discuss the execution. By that time, about a couple dozen protesters had gone home. Every light in the prison parking lot attracted thick swarms of mosquitoes like chaotic snow falling in all directions.
The small insects coated the sidewalks and windows, stirring in circles on the ground.
About two dozen solemn protesters earlier held signs and some knelt in prayer about a mile away from the prison in a free speech area that the corrections department designated.
Read the full story and more from Pat Reavy and Collin Leonard on ksl.com.
