Utah man chooses to be executed by firing squad

[Swede]

Ronnie Lee Gardner, who killed a man in 1985 while trying to escape before his hearing in an earlier murder, will be put to death by a firing squad in June. Peg MeEntee reports for the Salt Lake Tribune after witnessing other deaths sanctioned by law, “Then as now, I believe that putting a human being to death is the heaviest burden and responsibility a state or nation can undertake.”


http://www.examiner.com/x-29372-Salt-Lake-Spirituality-Examiner~y2010m4d25-Ronnie-Lee-Gardiner--Capital-Punishment-Justified

[11 Bravo]

1. Shades of Gary Gilmore.

[TheMightyFavog]

2. Reminds me of the most tasteless SNL skit ever...

Candice Bergen: One night this July, Gary Gilmore killed a Utah service station attendant and the next night he shot a twenty-five year old student twice in the head. He was convicted of the second murder and sentenced to death. Gilmore requested that the sentence be carried out by firing squad. Prison officials were flooded with calls with people volunteering to shoot Gilmore, a job which pays a hundred and twenty-five dollars. Gilmore's lawyer is negotiating with publishers and motion picture studios for book and movie rights and there has been a cry for public execution. All three networks have asked permission to film the event and, if permission is not granted, then there's talk of filming the execution, from a dirigible, helicopter or hang glider. And so it's in this spirit that Saturday Night has prepared a very special Christmas song.



Gilda Radner:
There's a little guy in Utah with a single Christmas wish For one special thing that can't be substituted Doesn't want to get electric trains, get toys or get pet fish All he really wants to get is executed



Cast:
So let's kill Gary Gilmore for Christmas
Let's hang him from atop the Christmas tree
Let's give to him the only gift that money can't buy
Put poison in his egg nog, let him drink it, watch him die



Dan Aykroyd:
Let's throw another yule log on the fire
And then let's throw Gary Gilmore on there too
With a ribbon so gay and a card that will say
"Dear Gary, Merry Christmas to you"

Jane, Laraine, Gilda:
In the meadow, we can build a snowman
One with Gary Gilmore packed inside

John, Garrett, Dan:
We'll say "Are you dead yet?" He'll say "No, man"

Cast:
But we'll wait out the frostbite till he dies

Gilda:
I've one Christmas wish

Jane, Laraine, John, Garrett, Dan:
Just ask it

Gilda:
Please put Gary in a casket

Cast:
So let's toll the silver bells for him
While he can still hear what they say
Ding dong ding dong
You're dead, so long
We can thrill Gary Gilmore
If we kill Gary Gilmore
On this Christmas Day

[Ishoutandscream2]

5. I loved that skit.

I still sing that little ditty around Christmas time. Most people around me don't know what I'm referring to.

[mitchum]

6. Written by the great Michael O'Donoghue

rest in peace

[BlueIris]

7. Oh, my God, that is hysterical. nt

[old mark]

3. Well, I hope he gets his wish....nt

[Xenotime]

4. Gun fundies should like this.

[fishbulb703]

8. Peg MeEntee is apparently unaware of the existence of the US Military.