Utah State Prison

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Top 8 | Utah State Prison

Nancy Schaefers of Dallas, TX, gave her son up for adoption thirty years ago. Today she met him for the first time since his birth. He is Douglas Elton Luna, serving time in the Utah State Prison for murder.

Meeting Her Son For the First Time

Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune
Draper - The execution chamber at the Utah State Prison after Ronnie Lee Gardner was executed by firing squad Friday, June 18, 2010. Four bullet holes are visible in the wood panel behind the chair. Gardner was convicted of aggravated murder, a capital felony, in 1985.

Covering the Execution of Ronnie Lee Gardner, part 6 The End

Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune
Draper - The execution chamber at the Utah State Prison after Ronnie Lee Gardner was executed by firing squad Friday, June 18, 2010. Four bullet holes are visible in the wood panel behind the chair. Gardner was convicted of aggravated murder, a capital felony, in 1985.

Death Chamber – Ronnie Lee Gardner

Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune
Draper - Commutation hearing for death-row inmate Ronnie Lee Gardner Thursday, June 10, 2010, at the Utah State Prison. Mandi Hull supports her aunt Tami Stewart as she testifies.

Commutation hearing for death-row inmate Ronnie Lee Gardner

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).

Ronnie Lee Gardner’s request for commutation denied

Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune
Draper - Commutation hearing for death-row inmate Ronnie Lee Gardner Thursday, June 10, 2010, at the Utah State Prison. Mandi Hull supports her aunt Tami Stewart as she testifies.

Covering the Execution of Ronnie Lee Gardner, part 2

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).

Covering the Execution of Ronnie Lee Gardner, part 5

Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune
Kearns - Family members of Deputy Nick Kirk, who was shot and seriously wounded by Ronnie Lee Gardner in 1985, talk about the effect Gardner's actions had on their lives Thursday, April 22, 2010. VelDean Kirk (widow, in denim), Bruce Webb (black shirt), Tami Stewart (daughter, gray), Barb Webb (daughter, pink)

Covering the Execution of Ronnie Lee Gardner, part 1