Subject of 'Just Mercy' film visits Utah to push for abolishing death penalty

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (KUTV) — A national voice on social justice met with top Utah leaders Wednesday to push for a bill that would get rid of the death penalty in Utah.

Bryan Stevenson, an attorney and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, met with Gov. Spencer Cox, Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, House Speaker Brad Wilson (R-Kaysville), and Senate President Stuart Adams (R-Layton) to push for support of House Bill 147.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Lowry Snow (R-St. George) and Sen. Dan McCay (R-Riverton), would remove death as a punishment for aggravated murder committed after May 4 unless a prosecutor filed an intent to seek the death penalty before that date.

“I do think the day is coming where no state in this country will execute people,” Stevenson said.

Stevenson’s name became famous with the 2019 movie "Just Mercy," which chronicled his work defending a man who was wrongfully sentenced to die.

“We’re wasting a lot of money in the pursuit of something that doesn’t, in my judgement, contribute to the health of the community,” Stevenson said.

A previous effort in 2016 to get rid of capital punishment in Utah failed. But things may be different this time.

Adams, the Senate president, told reporters Wednesday he’s open to the bill, which is not yet scheduled for a committee hearing. Sen. Evan Vickers (R-Cedar City) said he has always opposed abolishing the death penalty, but he’s considering it.

“I’m in play,” Vickers said. “I’m in open discussion in hearing about it, seeing. Maybe my thoughts will change.”

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Jennifer Napier-Pearce, spokesperson for Cox, told KUTV 2News, “Gov. Cox appreciated today’s conversation with Mr. Stevenson and continues to study the issue.”

Stevenson believes political momentum is on his side.

“Now we have a lot of Republicans across the country who not only reject this idea that we have to have the death penalty,” said Stevenson, “but have elevated this notion that if we think we can’t trust government with dictating health policy – helping us decide whether we should wear a mask or not, get vaccinated or not – why do we trust them to determine who should live and who should die?”