Twenty-six years ago, Taberon Dave Honie committed a brutal crime. My heart goes out to the community and family who lost their beloved Claudia Benn. My heart also goes out to Honie’s daughter, Tressa, whose life has been turned upside down.
I’m not writing to make any excuses for Honie. No words can ever ease the pain of all of those who have been impacted by his horrific actions.
The reason I am writing is to question the death penalty and the perpetuation of violence.
On Aug. 8, Utah plans to carry out its first execution since 2010 by taking the life of Taberon Honie. For years, the people of Utah have worked tirelessly to make Utah a magnet for investment and entrepreneurship and this decision puts all of that at risk, demonstrated by the growing number of business leaders from around the world calling for an end to the death penalty.
As of 2023, 144 countries have abolished the death penalty. Utah is among only a handful of jurisdictions that still cling to this outdated practice, alongside China, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Somalia.
Studies consistently show that states with capital punishment have higher homicide rates than those without it. There is no credible evidence that the death penalty deters crime. The death penalty is also a drain on public resources. In 2012, state legislative analysts estimated that a death sentence costs $1.6 million more than life in prison. Since 2000, Utah taxpayers have spent nearly $40 million on death penalty cases, with only two resulting in executions.
Though not relevant in this case, the death penalty also risks killing innocent people.
At least 200 people were exonerated and freed from death row since 1973. The risk of killing an innocent person is real.
This state is one of hope, faith, caring families and great potential. Utah’s leaders can take a stand and end this cruel and ineffective practice and redirect our resources toward building a safer, more prosperous future.
Jean Oelwang, Park City