Close Menu
Truth Republican
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Guns & Gear
  • Healthy Tips
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Truth Republican
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Guns & Gear
  • Healthy Tips
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Newsletter
Truth Republican
You are at:Home»News»Utah killer with dementia is competent enough for death sentence to be carried out, judge rules
News

Utah killer with dementia is competent enough for death sentence to be carried out, judge rules

Buddy DoyleBy Buddy DoyleJune 7, 2025No Comments3 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp
Utah killer with dementia is competent enough for death sentence to be carried out, judge rules
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

A convicted killer in Utah who developed dementia during his time on death row is competent enough to be executed, a state judge ruled on Friday.

Ralph Leroy Menzies, 67, was found guilty and sentenced to death in March 1988 for the 1986 killing of Maurine Hunsaker, a 26-year-old mother of three.

Judge Matthew Bates said Menzies “consistently and rationally understands” what is happening and why he is facing execution, despite his recent cognitive decline.

“Menzies has not shown by a preponderance of the evidence that his understanding of his specific crime and punishment has fluctuated or declined in a way that offends the Eighth Amendment,” which prohibits cruel and unusual punishments, Bates said in his court order.

SUSPECT CHARGED WITH MURDERING ISRAELI EMBASSY STAFF COULD FACE DEATH PENALTY

Menzies selected the firing squad as his method of execution and will become only the sixth U.S. prisoner executed by firing squad since 1977 — three in Utah, with the last one in the state carried out in 2010, and two in South Carolina this year.

The Utah Attorney General’s Office is expected to file a death warrant soon.

Menzies’ lawyers had argued their client’s dementia was so severe that he could not understand why he was being put to death, adding that they plan to appeal Friday’s ruling to the state Supreme Court.

COP KILLER DIES AFTER ‘BOTCHED’ EXECUTION; WITNESS IN THE ROOM REVEALS HOW IT HAPPENED

Execution chair

“Ralph Menzies is a severely brain-damaged, wheelchair-bound, 67-year-old man with dementia and significant memory problems,” his attorney, Lindsey Layer, said in a statement. “It is deeply troubling that Utah plans to remove Mr. Menzies from his wheelchair and oxygen tank to strap him into an execution chair and shoot him to death.”

The U.S. Supreme Court has previously spared death row inmates with dementia from execution, including an Alabama man in 2019 who was convicted of killing a police officer.

Since his sentencing 37 years ago, Menzies’ attorneys have filed multiple appeals that delayed his death sentence, which had been scheduled at least twice before it was postponed.

South Carolina firing squad execution chair

Menzies had abducted Hunsaker in February 1986 from the convenience store where she worked, just three days after he was released on bail over an unrelated crime. Hunsaker was later found strangled with her throat cut at a picnic area in the Wasatch Mountains of northern Utah.

When he was later jailed on unrelated matters, Menzies had Hunsaker’s wallet and several other items that belonged to her. He was convicted of first-degree murder and other crimes.

Matt Hunsaker, who was 10 years old when his mother was killed, said Friday that his family is overwhelmed with emotion to know that justice will finally be served.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Read the full article here

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Previous Article25 NEW RIFLES Just RELEASED for 2024!
Next Article ‘Right down the line’: Medicaid reform in ‘big, beautiful bill’ divides lawmakers by party

Related Articles

Imane Khelif fires off punchy message after Olympic boss vows to ‘ensure fairness’ in women’s category

Imane Khelif fires off punchy message after Olympic boss vows to ‘ensure fairness’ in women’s category

July 1, 2025
Even before Glastonbury Festival hate chants, UK Jews warned of alarming rise in antisemitism

Even before Glastonbury Festival hate chants, UK Jews warned of alarming rise in antisemitism

July 1, 2025
Attorney General Pam Bondi warns ICEBlock app developer to ‘watch out,’ says DOJ is ‘looking at him’

Attorney General Pam Bondi warns ICEBlock app developer to ‘watch out,’ says DOJ is ‘looking at him’

July 1, 2025
Prince William draws hard line on uncle Prince Andrew’s royal future: experts

Prince William draws hard line on uncle Prince Andrew’s royal future: experts

July 1, 2025
Trump’s achievements embolden him to be even more aggressive

Trump’s achievements embolden him to be even more aggressive

July 1, 2025
Republicans scrap deal in ‘big, beautiful bill’ to lower restrictions on states’ AI regulations

Republicans scrap deal in ‘big, beautiful bill’ to lower restrictions on states’ AI regulations

July 1, 2025
Michigan teacher, 26, facing charges after allegedly telling coworker she had sex with 16-year-old student

Michigan teacher, 26, facing charges after allegedly telling coworker she had sex with 16-year-old student

July 1, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs fans’ deaths: Prosecutors seek tougher charges

Kansas City Chiefs fans’ deaths: Prosecutors seek tougher charges

July 1, 2025
Dodgers face federal civil rights complaint over hiring and employment practices

Dodgers face federal civil rights complaint over hiring and employment practices

July 1, 2025
Don't Miss
Top 5 Best Plate Carrier & Chest Rigs 2021

Top 5 Best Plate Carrier & Chest Rigs 2021

Amazon Prime members brace for sticker shock as analysts predict imminent price hike

Amazon Prime members brace for sticker shock as analysts predict imminent price hike

Texas Democrat who lost to Ted Cruz 8 months ago jumps into 2026 Senate race

Texas Democrat who lost to Ted Cruz 8 months ago jumps into 2026 Senate race

Imane Khelif fires off punchy message after Olympic boss vows to ‘ensure fairness’ in women’s category

Imane Khelif fires off punchy message after Olympic boss vows to ‘ensure fairness’ in women’s category

Latest News
Social Security insolvency could speed up with illegal immigration crackdown

Social Security insolvency could speed up with illegal immigration crackdown

July 1, 2025
Dems vow to fight ‘tooth and nail’ as Supreme Court takes up campaign finance case

Dems vow to fight ‘tooth and nail’ as Supreme Court takes up campaign finance case

July 1, 2025
Even before Glastonbury Festival hate chants, UK Jews warned of alarming rise in antisemitism

Even before Glastonbury Festival hate chants, UK Jews warned of alarming rise in antisemitism

July 1, 2025
TOP 10 BEST TACTICAL BELTS & GUN BELTS 2021

TOP 10 BEST TACTICAL BELTS & GUN BELTS 2021

July 1, 2025
Best and worst breads for your health, according to nutrition experts

Best and worst breads for your health, according to nutrition experts

July 1, 2025
Copyright © 2025. Truth Republican. All rights reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Contact

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.