(GoRealNewsNow.com) – 25 years after being sentenced to death for the horrific assault and murder of his ex-girlfriend’s mother, felon Taberon Dave Honie was executed by lethal injection in Utah.
This marked the first execution in the state in 14 years. Honie was 48 years old when he was lethally injected and was just 22 at the time of the murder.
Claudia Benn, the victim, was the grandmother of Honie’s daughter, leading to a painful family rift.
While some family members, including Benn’s daughter, pushed for the execution, others, like Honie’s daughter, begged for mercy. Family from both sides were present to witness the execution, which took place shortly after midnight.
While strapped to the execution table, Honie spoke his final words.
“From the start, it’s been, if it needs to be done for them to heal, let’s do this,” he said into a microphone held by a prison worker. “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.”
Moreover, the execution took 17 minutes from the initial administration of pentobarbital until an electrocardiogram confirmed his heart had stopped. He was declared dead at 12:25 a.m.
Corrections Director Brian Redd stated that Honie received a second dose of pentobarbital five minutes into the procedure upon the recommendation of medical professionals.
During the time between midnight and the official announcement of Honie’s execution, about 40 protesters silently gathered in a designated free speech zone two miles from the prison.
At 12:34 a.m., Abraham Bonowitz, co-founder and executive director of Death Penalty Action, addressed the crowd, saying, “The execution has been confirmed, and the world is no safer. Utah is no safer.”
As part of his last meal, Honie had a cheeseburger, fries, and a milkshake around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. However, he told prison officials that he wanted his last meal to be remembered as one he recently shared with family.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox released a statement Thursday morning acknowledging the severity of Honie’s crimes.
“I respect the process of our criminal justice system, and recognize the countless public servants who meticulously planned and approached their responsibilities with professionalism,” he said. “I hope this brings closure to those impacted by the crimes. My heart goes out to the victim’s family.”
Copyright 2024, GoRealNewsNow.com