Cop killer dies after ‘botched’ firing squad execution
An inmate convicted of killing a police officer in Utah has died after a "botched" firing squad execution. The controversial method, which had not been used in the state for over a decade, was carried out as a backup after previous attempts to obtain lethal injection drugs failed.
Ronnie Lee Gardner, 49, was pronounced dead at 12:20 a.m. on Friday morning, after he was shot by five members of a firing squad. The execution was met with protests and criticism, with many calling it a cruel and unusual method of punishment.
Gardner had been on death row for 25 years after being found guilty of shooting Michael Burdell during an attempted courthouse escape. He had requested a firing squad as a method of execution, citing his Mormon faith and a belief that it would be a quicker and less painful death.
However, witnesses to the execution claim it was anything but quick and painless. According to one reporter, the shots were not well-aimed, causing Gardner to suffer for several minutes and make noise before ultimately passing away. This has sparked outrage and calls for a re-evaluation of the use of firing squads in capital punishment.
Utah is one of only two states that still allow for firing squad executions, with the other being Oklahoma. While some argue that it is a more humane method than lethal injection, the lack of trained marksmen can result in a drawn-out and painful death.
The use of firing squads has gained renewed attention in recent years, as states struggle to obtain lethal injection drugs due to pharmaceutical companies refusing to sell them for this purpose. This has forced some states to resort to alternative methods, such as Tennessee's electric chair and Oklahoma's use of nitrogen gas.
The execution of Ronnie Lee Gardner has once again brought up the ongoing ethical debate surrounding capital punishment and the methods used for carrying it out. As the nation continues to grapple with the issue, it is clear that more discussions and reforms are needed to ensure the ethical and humane treatment of individuals on death row.