Court clears way for firing squad

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (AP) -- A serial killer who asked to be executed by firing squad without the traditional hood over his head will be granted his wish, the state Supreme Court ruled Friday.

Roberto Arguelles made the unusual request after he was convicted in 1997 of killing three teenage girls and a woman in her 40s.

A court gave its approval, but the execution was delayed after Arguelles attempted to hang himself with a prison laundry bag.

Arguelles underwent a psychiatric evaluation following the suicide attempt. As required by state law, his case was appealed to the state Supreme Court, which ruled Friday that the firing squad execution could go forward.

The execution date was expected to be set soon by a lower court.

Arguelles' attorney, Ed Brass, said Friday's ruling marks the end of appeals that can be made without Arguelles' consent.

In March 1992, Arguelles kidnapped 15-year-old Tuesday Roberts and her 16-year-old friend Lisa Martinez. He sexually assaulted and strangled Roberts and stabbed Martinez more than 40 times.

Earlier that month, Arguelles had kidnapped, sexually assaulted and killed 13-year-old Stephanie Blundell. He also abducted and strangled 42-year-old Margo Bond.

Brass argued in court that Arguelles had a history of mental illness, suffered physical and sexual abuse as a child, and has occasional blackouts and hallucinations.

Utah is the only state in which death row inmates can elect to die by firing squad.

John Taylor, who was sentenced to death for raping and strangling an 11-year-old girl, was the last person to go before the firing squad. He was executed in 1996.

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