Utah becomes only state to restore firing squad

Utah became the only US state to restore the firing squad as a method of execution on Monday, as its governor Gary Herbert signed a bill on the emotive issue into law. The legislation, approved by the western US state's senate earlier this month, allows for a firing squad if drugs used for executions are unavailable, as has recently been the case in a number of US states. "We regret anyone ever commits the heinous crime of aggravated murder to merit the death penalty and we prefer to use our primary method of lethal injection when such a sentence is issued," added the spokesman, Marty Carpenter. "However, when a jury makes the decision and a judge signs a death warrant, enforcing that lawful decision is the obligation of the executive branch," he said.

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