A Utah judge has determined that a death row prisoner living with dementia is mentally competent enough to face execution nearly four decades after his brutal crime.

Ralph Leroy Menzies, who has been on Utah's death row since 1988 for the kidnapping and murder of Maurine Hunsaker, was found competent for execution despite serious mental and physical health concerns, including dementia and mobility issues, as ABC News reports.

Menzies, now 67, was sentenced to death more than 35 years ago for a harrowing crime that shocked the state in 1986. Maurine Hunsaker, a 26-year-old mother of three, had been working at a convenience store when she disappeared. Her body was later discovered in a remote picnic area in the Wasatch Mountains with signs she had been strangled and her throat cut.

Investigators tied Menzies to the crime after he was arrested on unrelated charges. At the time of his arrest, police found Hunsaker’s wallet and other personal belongings in his possession. He was subsequently convicted of first-degree murder and additional crimes related to the kidnapping and death of Hunsaker.

On Friday, Judge Matthew Bates issued a ruling concluding that Menzies is competent to be executed. Despite the development of dementia during his decades-long stay on death row, the judge found that Menzies maintains a clear understanding of his punishment and why it is being imposed.

Judge affirms Menzies' understanding

“Menzies has not shown by a preponderance of the evidence that his understanding of his specific crime and punishment has fluctuated or declined in a way that offends the Eighth Amendment,” Bates wrote in his ruling. The Eighth Amendment protects against cruel and unusual punishment, and its interpretation has been central to recent legal challenges involving inmates with serious cognitive impairments.

The ruling comes amid ongoing legal efforts by Menzies’ defense team, who argue that his current condition makes execution inhumane. His attorney, Lindsey Layer, says Menzies suffers from severe brain deterioration, memory impairment, and relies on an oxygen tank and wheelchair.

Layer described the state’s plan, which will involve forcibly removing Menzies from his wheelchair and oxygen supply before execution, as “deeply troubling.” She expressed concern over the decision, vowing to continue appealing the ruling to Utah’s Supreme Court. An unusual method of execution may proceed.

If the execution moves forward, it would not only end one of the state’s longest-running death row cases, but it would also make headlines for its rare method. Menzies has chosen to die by firing squad, a legal option in Utah. Only five people in the U.S. have been executed by firing squad since 1977.

The Utah Attorney General’s Office is expected to file a death warrant in the coming weeks. This paperwork would set the stage for the final steps in carrying out Menzies’ death sentence following nearly 40 years of court filings and appeals. Throughout those decades, Menzies' legal team has filed multiple appeals, successfully delaying execution several times. His execution date has been rescheduled at least twice as his condition deteriorated and legal challenges mounted over concerns about his mental fitness.

Victim's family expresses relief

Matt Hunsaker, Maurine’s son, was a toddler when his mother was murdered. Now an adult, he told reporters that his family was overwhelmed with emotion upon hearing Judge Bates’ decision. For him and other loved ones, the ruling represents a long-awaited step toward justice.

“We’re overwhelmed with emotion to know that justice would finally be served,” he said. The Hunsaker family has spent nearly four decades grappling with grief, uncertainty, and legal delays. Friday’s ruling brought clarity that they have waited years to receive.

Despite Menzies’ declining health, the court made clear that the inmate’s condition did not burden the constitutional standard for competency. The judge emphasized that the key issue was not Menzies’ physical limitations, but rather his mental awareness of the crime and punishment.

Lessons to learn

While every tragedy is different and no one is ever to blame but the perpetrator, certain lessons from this case can help raise awareness and promote safety:

1. Workplace safety in isolated locations is vital. Maurine Hunsaker was abducted while working alone at a convenience store. Employers and communities should consider additional safety measures, such as surveillance, locking hours, and employee check-ins for those working in isolated areas.

2. Justice can be delayed for decades in capital cases. Families seeking closure through the courts should be counseled early on about how slow and complex the death penalty process can be. Understanding this does not ease pain, but it offers context for the long road ahead.

3. Health issues in prison populations need better oversight. This case highlights the complications of dealing with aging prisoners and those with illnesses like dementia. Although safety and justice are priorities, humane treatment and proper medical assessments must remain part of the conversation. Despite our efforts, crime can happen to anyone. Survivors and victims are never responsible for what occurs to them.

Why this story matters

This case reopens an emotional chapter in Utah's criminal justice history. It raises questions about how society should handle aging inmates, the evolving definition of mental competency, and the responsibility of the state in carrying out justice after decades have passed.

It also underscores the lasting impact of violent crime on families and communities. Even after nearly 40 years, the pursuit of justice remains a deep and personal journey for those left behind. The decision has renewed national conversation around executions involving individuals with mental illnesses -- and how to balance constitutional rights with justice for victims.