Utah officials deny clemency for man set to be executed for 1998 killing of his girlfriend’s mother

Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah officials have denied clemency to a man who is set to be executed for the 1998 killing of his girlfriend’s mother. Taberon Dave Honie is scheduled to die by lethal injection Aug. 8. Honie had asked the state parole board to commute his sentence to life in prison, saying he was intoxicated at the time and would not have killed Claudia Benn had he been in his “right mind.” But the board said Friday that it did not find sufficient cause for commutation. Benn’s family urged the panel to allow the execution, calling her a pillar of their family and community. Honie’s lawyers expressed disappointment at the decision, saying he is no longer the same person.