Photo from the Salt Lake Tribune Francisco Kjolseth

Yes they do–at least, and if I’m not mistaken–only in Utah.  I’m at the crossroads at the west, BYU’s commencement, and saw this story in the Salt Lake Tribune about convicted murderer Ronnie Lee Gardner.  Now, before I go any further, I don’t think Mr. Gardner is a very nice person, at all.  If anyone deserves to be executed–he is very close to the top of a very short list.  But, I suppose the point I would make, is that we as humans, given the current inequities of our criminal justice system, simply don’t have the right, in my view, to make that decision. (more…)