SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Board of Pardons & Parole has rejected condemned killer Ralph Leroy Menzies' request to commute his death sentence.
Menzies is facing a Sept. 5 firing squad execution for the 1986 death of Maurine Hunsaker. She was taken from her job at a Kearns gas station, tied to a tree, and her throat was slit.
"The Board heard and carefully considered the testimony of witnesses called by both Mr. Menzies and the State. The Board also heard and thoughtfully considered testimony from ten victim representatives. After carefully reviewing all submitted information and considering all arguments from the parties, the Board does not find cause to commute Mr. Menzies' death sentence," the ruling, released Tuesday, said.
Judge denies request for new competency hearing for Menzies:
"I want to thank the parole board for their diligent work and allowing me to be home with my family when the decision come out as a family," Hunsaker's son, Matt, told FOX 13 News in a text message. "We're very pleased with the ruling."
Lawyers for Menzies, who faces execution for the kidnapping and killing of Hunsaker, have argued that he has dementia and that executing him now would violate the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. A lower court judge ruled Menzies is competent enough to be executed.
“Ralph Menzies is a 67-year-old man with progressively worsening dementia. He’s tethered to an oxygen tank, uses a wheelchair, is confused and disoriented, and no longer understands why Utah is trying to kill him,” Lindsey Layer, an attorney for Menzies, said in a statement Tuesday.
Menzies has one more chance to avoid execution, with a hearing scheduled Thursday before the Utah Supreme Court.
