Utah Man On Death Row for Murder Pleads for Mercy Before Hearing

Utah authorities recently took up evidence on the possibility of a life sentence instead of the death penalty for the murder of the mother of the man’s girlfriend, who is set to be executed in August.

Parole board hearings follow state authorities’ July 19th announcement that they would not be using an unproven mix of execution medicines that Taberon Dave Honie’s attorneys said might inflict terrible agony.

Pentobarbital, a single-drug option that has been used in executions by various states and the federal government, will be used instead.

Among the barbiturate family of medicines, pentobarbital has US FDA approval for the management of a number of medical issues, including status epilepticus, seizures, and the temporary treatment of insomnia. Pentobarbital has a few authorized uses, including as a pre-anesthetic drug and as a short-term sedative to treat insomnia at low dosages.

During the two-day hearing, witnesses will likely include Honie, his relatives, and attorneys for victim Claudia Benn (49).

A combination of Honie’s harsh upbringing, substance misuse, brain injury, and severe drunkenness, according to his legal team, led to his criminal behavior. They contend that Honie had a bad legal counsel, and sentencing by a judge rather than a jury would have been more compassionate and saved him the death penalty. Honie has allegedly professed feelings of sorrow and regret. His commutation petition asks the board to pity him.

Honie was convicted of aggravated murder in 1999.  According to prosecutors, the judge who handed down Honie’s punishment took into account his regret, background, and drunkenness at the time he murdered Benn. Hence, the board should deny the plea for a reduced term.

According to court papers, Honie (then 22) broke a glass door to gain access to Benn’s house when she was at home with her grandkids. He brutally assaulted Benn, slashing her in several places, including the neck, vagina, and anus. He was found covered in blood when the police arrived at the residence.

According to the state’s legal team, Honie claims the board should pity him because he admitted his crimes. The commutation petition is an extensive attempt to shift blame away from himself and his brutal treatment of Claudia and her grandchildren.

August 8th is Honie’s execution date.