Utah actually has a law banning the use of a firing squad for executions, but the convicted murderer in question was on death row before the ban passed so he can still choose to die by the method. Prisoner rights and all that.

Can’t say I blame him. His appeals have been exhausted, the parole and pardon board sent him packing, and the district court judge couldn’t find a reason to stay the execution and/or order a new sentencing. He’s going to be executed, so he may as well go by an old fashioned firing squad.

And this guy certainly deserves what’s coming to him:

Gardner, 49, was sentenced to death in 1985 for shooting and killing Burdell during a botched courthouse escape. Gardner had been in court that day facing charges for the murder of Otterstrom when an accomplice handed him a gun. He then shot and wounded bailiff Nick Kirk before shooting and killing Burdell.

He was facing murder charges for one person when he decided to make a courthouse escape, shooting the bailiff and killing Burdell in the process. Just in the escape alone he tried to kill two innocent individuals, never mind the murder charges he already faced. There should be no compassion or sorrow for this guy.