Arizona Announces Resumption of Executions After Two-Year Pause
PHOENIX — After a two-year standstill, Arizona is poised to resume capital punishment, Attorney General Kris Mayes announced Wednesday.
Death Row Inmate To Be First Under New Protocols
Mayes stated that she intends to soon request an execution warrant for Aaron Brian Gunches, who is currently on death row following his conviction for the murder of his girlfriend’s ex-husband. This comes after a thorough review of the state’s execution procedures, a process initiated by Governor Katie Hobbs earlier this year.
Review Addresses Concerns and Implements Changes
“Corrections officials conducted a thorough review of policies and procedures, and made critical improvements to help ensure executions carried out by the State meet legal and constitutional standards,” said Christian Slater, spokesperson for Governor Hobbs. “The governor remains committed to upholding the law while ensuring justice is carried out in a way that’s transparent and humane.”
Gov. Hobbs had previously pledged not to authorize any executions until the state could perform them confidently and in compliance with all applicable laws. While the initial review was overseen by a retired federal magistrate appointed by Hobbs, that position was recently vacated, effectively concluding the review process.
Timeline Aligned with Previous Statements
Mayes’ announcement aligns with her earlier statement in May that executions could potentially resume as early as the beginning of 2025, following the completion of the review. Gunches had initially been scheduled for execution in April 2023, but preparations were postponed due to concerns raised by Hobbs’ administration, who cited a lack of experienced personnel to carry out the sentence, difficulty in finding a qualified IV team to administer lethal injection, and the absence of a contract with a pharmacist to compound pentobarbital, the drug used in Arizona’s executions.
Arizona’s History of Capital Punishment
Gunches pleaded guilty to a murder charge in the shooting death of Ted Price, who was his girlfriend’s former husband, in an incident that occurred near the Phoenix suburb of Mesa. Arizona last carried out three executions in 2022, marking the end of a nearly eight-year hiatus. The resumption was prompted by criticism surrounding a 2014 execution that was widely deemed as botched and ongoing challenges in acquiring the necessary drugs for lethal injections.
How has the public and legal community reacted to the decision to resume executions, and are any legal challenges anticipated?
## Arizona to Resume Executions: A Conversation with Legal Expert
**Intro:** Tonight, we discuss the breaking news from Arizona: the state’s announcement to resume capital punishment after a two-year pause. Attorney General Kris Mayes plans to request an execution warrant for death row inmate Aaron Brian Gunches. To unpack this development, we welcome legal expert [Insert Guest Name].
**Interviewer:** [Guest Name], Arizona imposed a moratorium on executions in 2022. What triggered this pause, and what has changed since then?
**Guest:** Well, the 2022 pause was spurred by concerns surrounding the state’s execution procedures. There were allegations of difficulties in accessing veins for lethal injections, leading to prolonged and arguably inhumane executions. Governor Hobbs prioritized a thorough review of these protocols upon assuming office.
**Interviewer:** So, this review led to significant changes?
**Guest:** Yes, Attorney General Mayes has emphasized that corrections officials have implemented “critical improvements” aiming to ensure a more humane process. The specifics of these changes haven’t been publicly disclosed yet.
**Interviewer:** What are the next steps in this process?
**Guest:** We can expect Attorney General Mayes to formally request an execution warrant for Mr. Gunches soon. If the courts approve the warrant, this would make him the first person executed in Arizona since 2022. It’s important to note that this decision has drawn strong reactions from both those advocating for capital punishment and those opposing it.
**Interviewer**: It’s certainly a significant development with complex ethical and legal implications. Thank you, [Guest Name], for shedding light on this. We’ll continue to follow this story as it unfolds.
**[Note]:** This interview does not mention the historical context of executions in Arizona, but could be expanded upon to include information from [[1](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/state-and-federal-info/state-by-state/arizona)], highlighting the state’s longstanding use of capital punishment.
