Joseph Mitchell Parsons | |
|---|---|
 Utah State Prison mug shot | |
| Born | July 22, 1964 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | October 15, 1999 (aged 35) Utah State Prison, Draper, Utah, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Execution by lethal injection |
| Other names | "Rainbow Warrior" "Yogi" |
| Occupation | Shoe salesman |
| Criminal status | Executed |
| Conviction(s) | Capital murder |
| Criminal penalty | Death |
Joseph Mitchell "Yogi" Parsons (July 22, 1964 – October 15, 1999) was an American who was executed for the August 1987 murder of Richard Lynn Ernest. Parsons hitched a ride with Ernest in California and stabbed him to death at a remote rest area in Utah. After assuming Ernest's identity, Parsons continued to insist that he was Ernest when he was later arrested.[1]
Parsons, who called himself the "Rainbow Warrior",[2] pleaded guilty to the murder.[3] During his sentencing hearing, Parsons said that he killed Ernest to fend off a homosexual advance, but was unable to present any evidence to support this claim in his defense. The jury sentenced him to death. In 1999, Parsons stated that "it's time to move on" and dropped his appeals, allowing his execution to proceed.[4] Discussion was later raised whether "Rainbow Warrior" was a reference to homosexuality or Parsons' favorite NASCAR Driver, Jeff Gordon.[5]
Parsons chose to die by lethal injection,[6] and he shunned attention, describing himself as "Utah's forgotten inmate".[7] His 1999 execution at Utah State Prison was the first to be carried out in a new chamber designed for both lethal injections and firing squads.[8]
- ^ Bryson, Amy Joi (1999-09-06). "'87 murderer left a bloody trail in southern Utah". Deseret News. pp. 1–4. Archived from the original on 2019-04-25. Retrieved 2010-10-05.
- ^ "Executed in Utah". The Washington Times. 1999-10-16. Archived from the original on 2012-11-05. Retrieved 2010-10-05. (registration required)
- ^ Howe, Richard C. (1990-01-22). "State of Utah v. Joseph Mitchell Parsons". Utah Supreme Court. Retrieved 2010-10-23.
- ^ Bryson, Amy Joi (1999-10-10). "Parsons' time running out". Deseret News. Archived from the original on 2024-01-20. Retrieved 2010-10-23.
- ^ Gehrke, Robert (1999-10-17). "Parsons' final sentence referred to racer, not gays". Deseret News. Archived from the original on 2018-09-26. Retrieved 2010-10-05.
- ^ "Killer Receives April Execution Date". Deseret News. 1990-03-07. Retrieved 2010-10-05.
- ^ Bryson, Amy Joi (1999-10-11). "Execution nets little attention". Deseret News. pp. 1–2. Archived from the original on 2018-09-25. Retrieved 2010-10-05.
- ^ Adams, Andrew (2010-06-10). "Firing squad executions: A look back and a look ahead". KSL-TV. Retrieved 2010-10-05.