Covering the Execution of Ronnie Lee Gardner, part 5

The meeting was very quick. The Utah Board of Pardons and Parole would announce their decision. Gardner would either be executed or his sentence commuted to life in prison without parole. It was very tense.

Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune
Draper – Family members of Nicolas G. Kirk, a deputy shot by Ronnie Lee Gardner, react as the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole announced their unanimous decision to deny Ronnie Lee Gardner’s request for commutation Monday, June 14, 2010. He is scheduled to be executed by firing squad Friday. Left to right, front row, Jamie Stewart (granddaughter), Mandi Hull (granddaughter), Barb Webb (daughter). Left to right, back row, Doug Fawson (director of victim services, department of corrections), Tammie Atkin (victim advocate, Utah Attorney General’s Office), Tami Stewart (daughter).

I trained my camera on the victims’ families. The Board announced its unanimous decision not to commute Gardner’s sentence. The execution would proceed.

Barb Webb, whose father was shot by Gardner, pumped her fists. Afterward, Barb’s sister Tami was interviewed in front of the prison…

Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune
Draper – The Utah Board of Pardons and Parole announced their unanimous decision to deny Ronnie Lee Gardner’s request for commutation Monday, June 14, 2010. He is scheduled to be executed by firing squad Friday. Tami Stewart, daughter of Gardner victim Nicolas G. Kirk, outside the prison following the decision.

From the cell block behind her, inmates began shouting. “Kill him!” “Kill him!” Their primal shouts sent a chill down my spine. And now I’m going into the prison to cover the firing squad execution. I won’t be witnessing the actual event. I will report back after it is done. Click here for all posts on the Ronnie Lee Gardner Execution