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Ronnie Lee Gardner has finished his commutation hearing. The parole board will announce their decision on Monday. Chances are it will not change anything. His execution is still scheduled for just after midnight on June 18. According to past members of the parole board, it would basically take an act of God to get his sentence commuted to life in prison, regardless of family members pleading for his life and jurors who suddenly decided they made a wrong decision. They did not. He got the sentence he deserved. He killed 2 people in cold blood and thought he killed another. Their sudden change of opinion just says that to them, Ronnie Lee Gardner’s life (before and after the murders) is much more important than the lives of the victims. Remember, it is not just one victim, but 3 and their families and loved ones. Justice needs to be served. Ronnie Lee Gardner has said he has remorse for his actions, but according to sources, he still has not apologized to the families, and he had that chance at the hearing. I listened to some clips and he sounded far from remorseful. His attitude (in those clips) was not what I would expect for someone trying to beg for his life. He seemed to want to joke around and was flip. In my opinion, if he had made some good use of his time over these past 25 years in prison – made himself a better man, I might (probably not, but maybe) would think that LWOP would be a good option. But he has caused quite a bit of trouble in prison since his convictions, including stabbing another inmate. He would always be an escape risk. And according to some I personally know who did spend time near him in prison, Ronnie Lee Gardner has not changed. It is just a show to get sympathy. They brought out the stories of how he was abused as a child (sexually, physically, mentally) and that he had an illness, etc. but why should all of that really matter? Millions of people have gone through the same things and they are still productive, law-abiding citizens. He made choices – bad choices. He knew that murder was wrong. He knew that escaping from custody was wrong. He is so worried about how his 3 (or more) children and grandchildren will feel about him being executed, however, he did not think about his victims and their children or grandchildren would feel. Or the rest of their families and loved ones.
One good thing did come out of the hearing. After 25 years, Ronnie Lee Gardner did name his unknown accomplice: Darcy Perry McCoy. Her sister, Carma Jolley Hainsworth, spent 8 years in prison for her part in helping with his escape and murders. But Darcy, she got off scot-free. Yeah, she had to testify against Gardner, but he waited 25 years to name her as the one who actually slipped him the gun. What a gentleman he is. And maybe I am wrong, maybe this proves he is a changed man.

After 25 years, Gardner murder case nears an end
Parole board presses Gardner on claims that he’s a changed man
Gardner asks parole board to commute his sentence (Here, he actually says he could walk out of prison and never get into trouble again…)
Man set to die by firing squad makes last appeal
4 jurors say Gardner verdict could have been different
Gardner names accomplice and ends a 25-year mystery
Ronnie Lee Gardiner Reveals Accomplice before Date with the Firing Squad
Plea bargain to cancel Hainsworth homicide charge