Utah bill would speed up death penalty cases. Critics say it takes away legal guardrails

By: Annie Knox

Outlets: Utah News Dispatch

Published: February 26, 2026

Words: 463

Last Updated: 2 weeks ago

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Utah families should not have to wait three or four decades for justice after unthinkable tragedies, a state lawmaker told colleagues Wednesday. She pitched a plan she said would shorten the timeline on death penalty cases while still respecting the rights of Utahns on death row.

Rep. Candice Pierruci reminded colleagues in the Utah House of Representatives that Ralph Menzies died of natural causes rather than an execution in December after 37 years …

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