‘Soonest available date': State moves to hold execution warrant application hearing for Menzies
WEST JORDAN, Utah () — The execution of a man on Utah's death row is now moving forward after it was delayed for an investigation into his competency. Ralph Leroy Menzies was convicted in 1988 for the 1986 aggravated murder, kidnapping, and robbery of Maurine Hunsaker.
The State filed a motion Monday to lift the stay on Menzie's execution and hold a hearing for an application for an execution warrant on the 'soonest available date.'
Victim's family reacts to convicted killer being ruled competent to be executed
According to documents, on Feb. 13, 2024, the court ordered that all 'proceedings advancing toward execution are stayed pending the resolution of Meznie's petition into competency.' They cancelled a hearing set later that month for the State's application for an execution warrant.
The 67-year-old man has dementia, his defense in May 2025. Last week, on June 6, Menzies was after 16 months of back-and-forth and competency hearings.
'The State, therefore, moves to lift the stay on the execution proceedings and to schedule a hearing on the State's application for an execution warrant on the soonest available date,' the motion reads.
In a statement to ABC4 last week, Menzie's attorney with ABC4 after the ruling that he was competent for execution.
Court rules that convicted killer with dementia is competent to be executed
We respectfully disagree with the Court's order and plan to appeal to the Utah Supreme Court. Ralph Menzies is a severely brain-damaged, wheelchair-bound, 67-year-old man with dementia and significant memory problems. He cannot understand the State's reasons for his execution. His dementia is progressive and he is not going to get better. 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.
Lindsey Layer, Attorney for Ralph Menzies
Matthew Hunsaker, Maurine Hunsaker's son, last week. He shared the devastation he felt after his mother's murder, but also his fight to get justice. Matthew Hunsaker says that the nearly 40-year wait has been difficult.
'We were at peace either way, but now let's see this execution happen, let's get this over with, and let's let the family close this chapter and move on,' Matthew Hunsaker said.
Abigail Jones and McKenzie Diaz contributed to this report.
Here's why a Pleasant Grove splash pad is now closed shortly after opening
Father's Day gifts to make dad feel loved
ICE arrests top 100K under Trump
'Soonest available date': State moves to hold execution warrant application hearing for Menzies
Locally-written theater production opening in Utah
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
St. George Police share tips for businesses with compromised emails
ST. GEORGE, Utah (ABC4) — The St. George Police Department warned that some local businesses have had their email accounts compromised and shared what people can do to protect their information. Jordan Goethe with St. George Police says that hackers have cracked the passwords of several email accounts and are sending out malicious links from those email addresses. The emails being sent are meant to scam the recipient of the email into giving up some sort of personal information. For those wanting to keep their accounts secure, Goethe says one of the easiest things you can do is to update your password or use a passphrase that is at least 16 characters in length. Goethe adds that users can also enable two-factor authentication, which is an extra security check in order to access information, and is usually done through another device or authentication app. Goethe says it can be difficult to avoid getting scammed, but there are different things people can do to avoid it. If you get a suspicious email from someone you know, it is best to call and check with them if the message is legitimate or not. Mantua poppies are blooming, rooted in pioneer history Father's Day Gift Guide: Teton Gear is a great gift idea for every active dad MEATER might be dad's favorite gift this year Father's Day Reminder! Discover great gifts for dad at City Creek Center Washington County water officials urge residents to conserve water Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
‘Soonest available date': State moves to hold execution warrant application hearing for Menzies
WEST JORDAN, Utah () — The execution of a man on Utah's death row is now moving forward after it was delayed for an investigation into his competency. Ralph Leroy Menzies was convicted in 1988 for the 1986 aggravated murder, kidnapping, and robbery of Maurine Hunsaker. The State filed a motion Monday to lift the stay on Menzie's execution and hold a hearing for an application for an execution warrant on the 'soonest available date.' Victim's family reacts to convicted killer being ruled competent to be executed According to documents, on Feb. 13, 2024, the court ordered that all 'proceedings advancing toward execution are stayed pending the resolution of Meznie's petition into competency.' They cancelled a hearing set later that month for the State's application for an execution warrant. The 67-year-old man has dementia, his defense in May 2025. Last week, on June 6, Menzies was after 16 months of back-and-forth and competency hearings. 'The State, therefore, moves to lift the stay on the execution proceedings and to schedule a hearing on the State's application for an execution warrant on the soonest available date,' the motion reads. In a statement to ABC4 last week, Menzie's attorney with ABC4 after the ruling that he was competent for execution. Court rules that convicted killer with dementia is competent to be executed We respectfully disagree with the Court's order and plan to appeal to the Utah Supreme Court. Ralph Menzies is a severely brain-damaged, wheelchair-bound, 67-year-old man with dementia and significant memory problems. He cannot understand the State's reasons for his execution. His dementia is progressive and he is not going to get better. 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. Lindsey Layer, Attorney for Ralph Menzies Matthew Hunsaker, Maurine Hunsaker's son, last week. He shared the devastation he felt after his mother's murder, but also his fight to get justice. Matthew Hunsaker says that the nearly 40-year wait has been difficult. 'We were at peace either way, but now let's see this execution happen, let's get this over with, and let's let the family close this chapter and move on,' Matthew Hunsaker said. Abigail Jones and McKenzie Diaz contributed to this report. Here's why a Pleasant Grove splash pad is now closed shortly after opening Father's Day gifts to make dad feel loved ICE arrests top 100K under Trump 'Soonest available date': State moves to hold execution warrant application hearing for Menzies Locally-written theater production opening in Utah Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
10 hours ago
- CBS News
Justin Baldoni's $400 million lawsuit against Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds dismissed
Justin Baldoni's $400 million lawsuit against his "It Ends With Us" co-star Blake Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, was dismissed by a judge on Monday, according to court documents. Baldoni accused the couple of civil extortion and defamation after Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation in a complaint filed in December. Baldoni has denied the accusation. Baldoni also sued The New York Times, which was first to report Lively's sexual harassment complaint. That lawsuit was also dismissed Monday. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
