A conversation with Randy Garnder, brother of executed prisoner Ronnie Gardner: Live Feed

Please note that the live was done on a cell phone, due to Randy being unable to access a laptop/tablet.

Ronnie Lee Gardner was a convicted murderer from Utah whose violent criminal history and dramatic courtroom escape attempt made him one of the state’s most infamous prisoners. Born in 1961, Gardner endured a troubled childhood marked by abuse, neglect, and frequent run-ins with the law. By his early twenties, he was already incarcerated for violent crimes. In 1985, while being transported to court for a hearing on a murder charge, Gardner attempted to escape and fatally shot attorney Michael Burdell inside the courthouse. 

The incident led to his conviction for capital murder and a death sentence.Gardner spent 25 years on Utah’s death row, during which he became a controversial figure in debates over the death penalty. Known for his defiant attitude early in his incarceration, he later expressed remorse for his actions and pursued education and spiritual growth while imprisoned. His 2010 execution by firing squad — the first in Utah in 14 years — drew widespread attention and reignited discussions about humane methods of execution and the purpose of capital punishment in modern America.

Randy Gardner, Ronnie’s brother, became an outspoken opponent of the death penalty after witnessing his brother’s execution. Deeply affected by the loss and the trauma of the event, Randy turned his grief into advocacy, speaking publicly about the emotional toll capital punishment inflicts on families of both victims and offenders. He has since worked with human rights and anti-death-penalty organizations, sharing his story to highlight the human cost of executions and the cycle of violence they perpetuate. His activism has made him a well-known voice in the movement to abolish the death penalty in the United States.

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