Taberon Honie's last words

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Taberon Honie, on death row for 25 years for the 1998 murder of Claudia Benn, was pronounced dead at 12:25 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, when his sentence was carried out, the Utah Department of Corrections stated.

Taberon Honie's last words

“From the start it's been, if it needs to be done for them to heal, let's do this. If they tell you you can't change, don't listen to them. To all my brothers and sisters in here, continue to change. I love you all. Take care."

Statements released following Taberon Honie's execution

Below are statements released by those involved in Honie's case after he was pronounced dead.

They are presented in full.

Appropriate statements will be added throughout Thursday as 2News receives them.

Therese Day and Eric Zuckerman, attorneys for Taberon Honie

"Taberon Honie was a proud member of the Hopi-Tewa Tribe from First Mesa, Arizona. Mr. Honie always accepted responsibility for his crimes and expressed deep remorse for his actions, which were committed while he was extremely intoxicated from drugs and alcohol. Over the past twenty-five years, Mr. Honie worked on himself to become a better person. Today, he was not the same man he was twenty-six years ago when he committed these crimes. We are saddened that despite this change, the State of Utah did not grant him mercy. Mr. Honie’s life had value—he was worthy of redemption, and not being judged solely by his worst actions."

Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes

“We understand there are deeply held beliefs, powerful emotions and divergent views regarding the death penalty. Death by execution is one of the most extreme uses of government power. Many would argue it is ineffective, improper and beyond the authority of man to exercise. Many would disagree.

But, there is no dispute that the violent and unprovoked taking of innocent lives from fellow human beings is among the crimes deemed by society to be most vile, repugnant and punishable by the harshest measures possible. In states like Utah, that includes the death penalty.

As such, the State of Utah approached the exercise of its power and attendant responsibilities with the seriousness and solemnity that such an act merits. We hope opponents of the death penalty allow grace for those who carried out their duties as required by the law and did so with respect, professionalism, and, in some cases, in spite of their own personal views.

We also hope that this act is a deterrent to other heinous crimes and pray it provides some measure of comfort to those who have been awaiting justice for decades.”

MORE from KUTV 2NEWS: Taberon Honie

• Taberon Honie spends last moments with family members before execution
  
• Court denies Taberon Honie attorney's request to stay open late 'if something goes wrong'
• Utah death row inmate Taberon Honie picks cheeseburger, fries for last meal
  
• Native American coalition condemn Honie's actions, remember victim: 'Never again'
  
• Financial details of Taberon Honie's execution shrouded in mystery despite inquiries
  

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