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DRAPER -- While Ronnie Lee Gardner spends his last day in prison, his family says they're coming to terms with his impending execution.
Gardner's daughter and brother visited the prison Wednesday night, their final visit with Ronnie Lee.
Related:
Gardner prepares for execution
The United States Supreme Court has denied condemned killer Ronnie Lee Gardner's appeals. He is set to die by firing squad just after midnight Thursday.His daughter, Brandie, and brother, Randy, say they believe Ronnie Lee is a changed man since he first entered prison.
They hope Ronnie Lee Gardner's life will serve as a warning to others going down the same path.
Both said they hope the public has compassion for their situation, as they say they are victims as well.
Brandie was under the age of 2 when her father was sent to prison. On the day of his execution she tearfully spoke of how much she loves him.
"He told me that he loved me and to take care of my kids, and just to be strong and that he'll be around," she said.
Brandie Gardner can't remember life without her father in prison. Friday, she'll have to adjust to life after his execution.
"He'll always be with me," Brandie said. "He always has, he always will."
"He, in a lot of ways, believes in the death penalty," Randy said of his brother. "He also believes in ‘an eye for an eye.' His victims got killed by a bullet. Why shouldn't he get killed by a bullet?"
"I think he's found peace within himself," Randy said. "He's made peace with Jason Otterstrom, which was the kid of the bar tender; he's had visits with him. The Burdell family has forgiven him."
Both Brandie and Randy say they are not attending the execution tonigh, at Gardner's request. They will spend the evening at a vigil celebrating Ronnie Lee's life -- one they say was misguided.
"He, in a lot of ways, believes in the death penalty," Randy said of his brother. "He also believes in ‘an eye for an eye.' His victims got killed by a bullet. Why shouldn't he get killed by a bullet?"
"No matter that we can't physically can't be there with him, I'll be there for him as close as I possibly can. I'll be praying," said Debbie, who asked we don't identify her beyond first name. She has maintained a more than 25-year relationship with Gardner -- the entire time he's been in prison.
She says they were lovers, but stopped their physical relationship. They referred to each other as "best friends."
Thursday night, when he is put to death, she'll be remembering the good in a convicted murderer.
"Yesterday I got to talk to him, and I just told him that he knew that I loved him and I love him from the bottom of my heart, and our friendship was true and pure," Debbie said.
Several family members of Gardner's victims told KSL say they will be at the prison Thursday. They say they will speak to the media following the execution.
E-mail: jstagg@ksl.com
