‘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.
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'Soonest available date': State moves to hold execution warrant application hearing for Menzies
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