Utah Court OKs Request for Hoodless Execution
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SALT LAKE CITY — A serial killer who asked to be executed by firing squad without the traditional hood over his head will be granted his wish, the state Supreme Court ruled Friday.
Roberto Arguelles made the request after his 1997 conviction for killing three teen girls and a woman in her 40s.
A court gave its approval, but the execution was delayed after Arguelles tried to hang himself in prison.
Arguelles underwent a psychiatric evaluation after the suicide attempt. As required by state law, his case was appealed to the state Supreme Court, which ruled Friday that the firing squad execution could go forward.
An execution date is to be set soon by a lower court.
Arguelles’ attorney, Ed Brass, said Friday’s ruling marks the end of appeals that can be made without Arguelles’ consent.
Among his crimes, Arguelles in 1992 kidnapped friends Tuesday Roberts, 15, and Lisa Martinez, 16. He sexually assaulted and strangled Roberts and stabbed Martinez more than 40 times.
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