Ralph Leroy Menzies, 67, has been sentenced to execution on September 5 for the 1986 murder of Maurine Hunsaker. Despite his worsening dementia, a Utah judge ruled he understands the execution's context. Menzies chose a firing squad as his method of execution and would be only the sixth person executed by firing squad since 1977. His attorneys are appealing for a reassessment of his competency due to severe health issues, but the court scheduled a hearing for July 23 and proceeded with the execution date regardless of the ongoing appeal. The case raises ethical questions regarding executing individuals with significant cognitive decline.
"Taking the life of someone with a terminal illness who is no longer a threat to anyone and whose mind and identity have been overtaken by dementia serves neither justice nor human decency."
"Judge Matthew Bates signed the death warrant a month after he ruled Menzies 'consistently and rationally' understands why he is facing execution despite recent cognitive decline."
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