Protesters in Salt Lake City demonstrate against the execution of Taberon Honie

Salt Lake City, Utah — The impending execution of Taberon Honie, a man from southern Utah who killed his ex-girlfriend’s mother in Cedar City in 1998, has sparked controversy.

Activists protesting the death sentence made their way to Salt Lake City on Friday afternoon in opposition to Thursday’s fatal injection.

Before turning on her and stabbing SueZann Bosler twice in the head and once in the back, James Bernard Campbell had stabbed her father more than twenty times.

Bosler lived, but Rev. Billy Bosler, her father, did not. His murder was over 37 years ago.

“I wasn’t that successful. Bosler remarked, “I felt like I didn’t save his life, so I didn’t want to live anymore.”

Her goal became freeing her father’s killer from death row.

After her accomplishment, she joined Death Penalty Action, a nationwide group that recently moved to Utah to stop Honie’s execution.

“[My father’s] favorite hymn was ‘Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me,'” she stated. “But I say, let it begin with all of us.”

“I consider the state and the collateral harm that these executions cause to the state. It’s appalling,” remarked Randy Gardner.

In 2010, Ronnie Lee Gardner, the brother of Gardner, was the final death row execution in Utah. He was also the final person executed by firing squad in the history of the US.

“I could hug and say I forgive the folks who offered to have my brother put to death. I think a lot of this has to do with that term because it’s so powerful,” he remarked.

The family of Honie’s victim, Claudia Benn, petitioned the state parole board last week to proceed with the execution even though Gardner and Bosler believe that the death penalty is not the solution.

“It’s really awful how he killed her…As God says, an eye for an eye. Today is a depressing day “Sarah China Azule, Benn’s niece, stated.

“Taberon, you stole from us,” Betsy China, her cousin, remarked. “Twenty-five years of missing out on her knowledge, her ability to read at a higher level and comprehend and help us.”

Pentobarbital, the medication of choice, will set the state back $200,000.

“Let’s use the funds to provide the relatives of the victims with better services. The executive director of Death Penalty Action, Abraham Bonowitz, stated, “Let’s put it into prevention.”

This Sunday, “Conversation About the Death Penalty” will be held by the group. The discussion is intended to provide Utahns “a chance to comment and ask questions…for everyone who is curious or concerned about what our government is about to do next, not just Catholics.”

Presenters will be Gardner, Bosler, and Bonowitz.

At the Blessed Sacrament Parish Center, 9757 S 1700 East, Sandy, the event starts at 2:00 p.m.