Ronald Watson Lafferty moved a step closer to the firing squad Tuesday, with a federal magistrate's recommendation that he should not be granted a writ of habeas corpus to reconsider his murder conviction.
Lafferty, a self-proclaimed prophet, was sentenced to die for slashing the throats of his sister-in-law, Brenda Wright Lafferty, and her baby daughter, Erica, in American Fork on July 24, 1984. Recently, he said he would rather face a firing squad than spend the rest of his life playing "mind games" in prison.His scheduled execution was stayed while U.S. District Judge J. Thomas Greene considered an appeal. Now, U.S. Magistrate Ronald N. Boyce has recommended that Greene reject the appeal.
Lawyers have until Nov. 9 to file objections with Greene.
Boyce noted that the judge, acting under difficult circumstances, was balanced and prudent. Lafferty's lawyer was required to work under uncomfortable circumstances but was competent and effective.
"The prosecution was zealous but fair and ethical." There was no violation of federal rights, he ruled.