Utah AG uses Twitter to announce execution

Shurtleff’s post, which reached the more than 7,000 followers of his Twitter account, drew immediate reaction from other Twitter users ranging from shock to disapproval. Many  questioned whether it was appropriate to use the social network to announce the execution.

Immediately following his announcement of the execution, Shurtleff sent a second tweet including a link to the live-stream of his press conference to announce Gardner’s death.

“We will be streaming live my press conference as soon as I’m told Gardner is dead,” Shurtleff tweeted.

Utah is the only state that still employs firing squads. Gardner chose the method over lethal injection, becoming the first person in the state to die in that manner in 14 years.