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John Daley ReportingThe death penalty -- prosecutors in the murder of five-year-old Destiny Norton may seek it in the case against her accused killer. And a large majority of Utahns polled for KSL-TV by Survey USA think, IF he's found guilty, they should.
There's an on-going debate about the death penalty in this country. It's legal in Utah, though relatively rare, handed down in only the worst cases. We polled 500 people today and most think the man accused of killing Destiny Norton, if convicted, should face the same fate.
With each detail that emerges about Destiny Norton's disappearance and killing, the severity of the crime becomes more clear. The allegations against Craig Roger Gregerson, divulged in court documents, go beyond even most murder cases: specifically that he desecrated the five-year-old's body and had written plans about the abduction.
When the lead prosecutor read the charges, he made it clear the death penalty is being considered.
Bob Stott, Chief Prosecutor: "Aggravated murder, a capital felony, is punishable by death, life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, or sentence of twenty years to life in prison."
The case evokes strong emotions and opinions.
In a SurveyUSA poll for KSL-TV we asked, based on what you know about the murder, do you think the suspect in custody, Craig Gregerson, should or should not be convicted? 90% say should, 2% say he should not, 8% are not sure.
We asked those polled, if convicted, should or should not Gregerson be sentenced to die? 80% says he should, 13% say he should not. That closely mirrors the 84% of those polled who support and 11% who oppose the death penalty in general.
The death penalty is relatively rare. There are 400 to 500 people in Utah's prisons for some sort of killing, from homicide to manslaughter. But there are just nine men on death row, including the likes of convicted killers Ronnie Lee Gardner, Ralph Leroy Menzies and Ron Lafferty.
Prosecutors say they haven't yet decided whether to seek the death penalty; that depends on the outcome of a trial.
Bob Stott, Chief Prosecutor, Salt Lake Co. District Attorney's Office: "Right now we are focused only on the conviction. When the time comes, we will evaluate the case, we will look at all the aggravating and mitigating circumstances, then make the decision."
We also asked those polled if Destiny's family, to avoid a painful trial, would prefer a plea bargain and life sentence for Craig Gregerson, if convicted, is that an acceptable outcome? 68% say yes while 30% say no.
