SALT LAKE CITY—
A judge signed the death warrant for convicted murderer Ronnie Lee Gardner Friday morning as protesters at Matheson Courthouse showed opposition to capital punishment. The protest was led by a Catholic group called Utahns for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, and members include attorneys, doctors and educational leaders. Although the group condemns Gardner's actions, they believe the state should not have the right to put him to death."Principally, as people of faith, we believe that God is the giver of all life - human and divine. And that for the state to take a life is to assume the prerogatives of God, and we don't believe that that's morally permissible," said Bishop John Wester of the Catholice Diocese of Salt Lake City.
Gardner is scheduled for execution by firing squad on June 18.
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