Taberon Honie spends last moments with family members before execution

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Utah death row inmate Taberon Honie spent much of his last hours with family members before his scheduled execution.

Officials with the Utah Department of Corrections said Honie was served his last meal around 4:30 p.m. He ate with family members, and visited with them for several hours through the night.

UDC spokesperson Glen Mills said only two family members were allowed to visit Honie at a time – and only through a barrier.

Family members were switching out over the last few hours.

Mills said visitors included Honie’s daughter, mother, father, three sisters, two cousins, an aunt and a brother-in-law.

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His mood was gracious, Mills said, and he was appreciative to have final time to speak with his family.

Mills said Honie was notified his attorneys were at the prison, but he declined meeting with them in favor of more time with family members.

He planned to meet with his attorneys after 9 p.m., when his family was no longer allowed to see him.

Officials said Honie could meet with attorneys before 10 p.m., when all visitation would be cut off and final preparations would begin.

There was time set aside for meeting with a spiritual advisor, but none had been requested.

Between 11:30 p.m. and midnight, Mills said Honie would be moved to into the death chamber with a “tie-up” team. If he went without incident, officials said he would be allowed to walk on his own.

Teams were prepared in the event Honie offered resistance, Mills said.

The drugs used in the execution were expected to be administered shortly after midnight.

Officials said teams at the prison held at least five run-throughs to prepare for the execution.

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