The final words of a 48-year-old Utah man convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend’s mother were directed at those present and his family during his execution Thursday.
Taberon Dave Honney broke into Claudia Benn’s home in 1998 and slit her throat and stabbed her multiple times, Fox News reported. Reported Thursday:
Claudia Benn is remembered by her family as a strong woman dedicated to serving others, whose life ended on July 10, 1998, much earlier than it should have.#Utah https://t.co/QRIZBZccBs
— KSL 5 TV (@KSL5TV) August 8, 2024
Ben was the maternal grandmother of the man’s daughter, Tressa, now 27. The murder happened after the man had been drinking and using drugs.
The most important part of the discussion I saw this week was missing.
The incredible life and legacy of Claudia Benn
University of Utah Graduate
Substance Abuse Counselor
Devoted Grandmother
Vice President, Shivwit Band of Paiute
Everyone’s friend. pic.twitter.com/45Nqr4dBbB
— Tyler Clancy (@Clancy4Utah) August 8, 2024
Just before his lethal injection at the state prison, authorities strapped Honey to the execution platform, after which he gave his final statement.
He said, “From the beginning, if it takes to heal them, then do it. If they tell you you can’t change, don’t listen to them. To all my brothers and sisters here, keep changing. I love you all. Take care.”
A few minutes later, he mouthed “I love you” to his family watching from the witness box.
photograph show Deceased inmates:
Taberon Dave Honney, 48, was convicted of murder for the July 1998 killing of Claudia Benn, the maternal grandmother of his daughter Tressa, now 27.
https://t.co/pgc4PTHpdH— 25NewsWEEK (@25NewsWEEK) August 8, 2024
According to the Fox article, “Honey was found guilty of murder and sentenced to death. The sentencing judge also found that Honney had sexually abused another of Ben’s grandchildren, who was in the home with Tressa, who was 2 years old at the time of the murder.”
Hony confessed to the murder the night it was discovered. USA Today Reported On Thursday.
Meanwhile, Ben’s daughter, Benita Iracheta, told the paper she felt relieved that justice had been achieved for all those affected by her mother’s death.
“My mother didn’t know the date of her death. She didn’t know that she was going to die that night,” she said.
Regarding the execution of the death penalty, police officials said“Currently, none of us are happy to take on this responsibility, but we recognise it as a statutory obligation and we take it seriously.”
Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox, days before his execution Denied A request for a delay was made by Honey’s lawyer, KSL 5 reporter Lindsay Artz reported Tuesday.
#breaking news: Translator The court has rejected a request by Taberon Hony’s lawyers to postpone his execution, scheduled for Thursday. You can read the reasons why below 👇
background Daniel KSL and Translator: https://t.co/tOWHvZ9NNp pic.twitter.com/7JkBBnEylI
— Lindsay Arts (@LindsayOnAir) August 6, 2024
Utah Attorney General Sean D. Reyes, in a statement about the execution, noted the differing views on capital punishment.
“But there is no dispute that the violent and unprovoked taking of an innocent human life is considered by society to be the most despicable and abhorrent crime, punishable by the severest means possible, and in states like Utah, that includes the death penalty,” he said.
